Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Embarks on Three-day Visit to Mozambique

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold talks with the president, the defence minister, foreign minister and interior minister of Mozambique during his visit.

In his first overseas trip as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the island nation of Mozambique in southern Africa with an aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.

New Delhi: In his first overseas trip as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the island nation of Mozambique in southern Africa with an aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries. Singh will hold talks with the president, the defence minister, foreign minister and interior minister of Mozambique during his visit. "Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3-day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation," the minister tweeted. "Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India & Mozambique during my visit," he added. Singh is scheduled to hold talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and Minister of National Defence Atanasio Ntumuke, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister during the visit. The two countries will sign three pacts providing for cooperation in surveillance of exclusive economic zone, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography.

Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3 day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation. Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India & Mozambique during my visit.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 27, 2019

During the defence minister's visit, India will also hand over to Mozambique two fast interceptor boats and 44 SUVs. Singh is accompanied by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and several other senior officials of the ministries of defence and external affairs. Bilateral relations between India and Mozambique are on an upswing after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the African country in July 2016.