AMN / COTONOU
President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Cotonou, Benin on the first leg of his three nations’ tour to the West African region. Benin’s Foreign Minister Aurelien Agbenonci received the President at the airport. Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Member of Parliament Dilip Ghosh are accompanying the President.
The seven-day visit is the first high-level tour of any Head of State from India to the three West African countries- Benin, The Gambia and Guinea. Mr Kovind reached the Cardinal Bernadine de Cotonou International Airport in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin this evening.
Mr Kovind will hold talks with his Beninese counterpart Patrice Talon tomorrow. Later, the President will address the National Assembly in Porto Novo. Mr Kovind will also meet members of the Indian Community at a reception hosted in his honour in Cotonou.
During the visit to The Gambia, Mr Kovind will hold delegation-level talks with President Adama Barrow in the capital, Banjul, on Wednesday. As a special gesture, the National Assembly, which is currently in recess, will hold a special session for the address of President Kovind on the same day.
On the last leg of his visit, the President will reach Conakry, the capital of Guinea on 1st August. Mr Kovind will hold delegation-level talks with his counterpart on 2nd August.