President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Tuesday for New Delhi to participate in the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum aimed at boosting socio-economic development in Africa and India.
Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday said Buhari would also hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi and other senior government officials on Wednesday, ahead of the opening of the summit the next day.
The India-Africa Forum was established in 2008 as the official platform for the advancement of mutually-beneficial relations between India and African nations.
Adesina said the President, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other participating Heads of State and Government would deliberate on issues of common concern such as climate change and international terrorism.
This year’s summit would enable the leaders to discuss additional measures aimed at boosting joint collaboration to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in Africa and India.
The summit, which follows the 2nd Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011, will enable the leaders to deliberate on further cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, and the eradication of hunger, disease and illiteracy.
Buhari would also meet with Chief Executive Officers of Indian companies with existing or prospective interests in Nigeria before returning to Abuja on October 30.
He would be accompanied by the governors of Kano and Delta states, as well as the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.
Others are Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Defence, Power, Communications Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Industry, Trade and Investment. -NAN