New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind will pay a State Visit to Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland and Zambia on 7th -12th April, 2018. This visit is the first ever visit of HOS/HOG of India to Equatorial Guinea and Swaziland. The Presidential Visit to Zambia is taking place after 29 years. The President is accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandavia and two Members of Parliament.
According to MEA release, 'At the invitation of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the President will pay a State visit to Equatorial Guinea from April 7th to 9th, 2018. He will address the Parliament of Equatorial Guinea on 8th April, 2018 after meeting his counterpart, delegation level talks. President Obiang will also host an official banquet lunch for the President. In the evening, the President will also address the Indian community at a reception organised by the Embassy of India.'
MEA further informed that during the visit to Swaziland, President will be received by the King of Swaziland and accorded a ceremonial reception on his arrival in Swaziland on 9th April, 2018. President would have delegation level talks with the Swazi side. President Kovind and King Mswati-III will jointly inaugurate the Information Technology Centre located in the Royal Science & Technology Park (RSTP). The other elements of the visit include an address by the President at the Swazi Parliament and call on Queen Mother. The King of Swaziland would host an official banquet for the President.
President would arrive in Lusaka, Zambia on 10th April, 2018 where he would be received by Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia and would be accorded a ceremonial welcome. President would have delegation level talks with the Zambian side. His program includes a meeting with Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, first President of the Republic of Zambia, State banquet would be hosted in honour of the President, interaction with the Indian community and addressing a business event.
President’s visit to Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland and Zambia would be his third visit to the African Continent. The visit of the President would further deepen our relations with the African nations.
