New Delhi: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will be on a three-nation tour to Gabon, Senegal and Qatar from May 30 to June 7.
He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pawar and three Members of Parliament, Sushil Kumar Modi, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar and
P. Raveendranath.
The Ministry of External Affairs said this would be the first visit from India at the level of Vice President to all three countries. This will also be the first-ever high-level visit from India to Gabon and Senegal.
The Vice President’s visit to Gabon and Senegal is expected to add momentum to India’s engagement with Africa and emphasise its commitment to the African continent.
The visit to Qatar, as both sides prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, will further enhance the bilateral ties, the MEA said.
Several bilateral documents are expected to be concluded during the visit to the three countries.
During the first leg of his visit to Gabon, from May 30 to June 1, the Vice President will hold delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of Gabon, Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda. He will also interact with the business community in Gabon and address the Indian diaspora.
During the second leg of his visit to Senegal from June 1 to 3, Mr Naidu will hold delegation-level talks with President of Senegal Macky Sall. The Vice President will meet the President of the National Assembly, Moustapha Niasse, and other dignitaries. He will also attend a business round table and address the Indian community.
During the third and last leg of his visit to Qatar from June 4 to June 7, Mr Naidu will hold delegation-level talks with Qatar’s Deputy Amir, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Thani and review bilateral cooperation.
Mr Naidu will meet several other Qatari dignitaries during this visit.
He will also address a business round table in Qatar.
The MEA also said that people-to-people contacts are at the heart of the historical relations between India and Qatar, with the latter hosting over 750,000 Indians.
The multifaceted cooperation between the two sides has witnessed significant growth in economic, energy, investment, education, defence, and cultural ties. Bilateral trade crossed $15 billion in FY 2021-22.
