NNew Delhi. In keeping with the government’s policy of strengthening relations with African nations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who is on a three-day visit to Mozambique had talks with Minister of Interior, Jaime Basilio Monteiro in capital Maputo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited this African country last year as part of his exercise to boost India’s relations with African nations.
After the talks, he gifted 44 SUVs to the Minister of Interior. The SUVs are expected to boost safety and security of the Mozambican police forces. During the handing over ceremony, Monteiro expressed gratitude towards India’s grant assistance to National Criminal Investigation Agency.
During his visit, the Defence Minister also called on Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, who thanked India for timely and valuable assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone IDAI, underlining that India was the first responder in the hour of crisis.
Singh also met Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Jose Pacheco, who recalled his visit to India last year for the Fourth Joint Commission Meeting and expressed satisfaction at the enhanced political engagement between India and Mozambique.
During the Defence Minister’s visit , India and Mozambique signed two MoUs – agreement on sharing white shipping information and co-operation in the field of Hydrography – which will further strengthen defence co-operation between the two countries and result in enhanced security in the Indian Ocean Region.
A dinner was hosted by the Defence Minister of Mozambique, Atanasio Salvador M’tumuke in honour of Singh.
Mozambique has sought co-operation from India to deal with the growing menace of terrorism and radicalisation. Singh assured co-operation and reiterated commitment to work together in this regard.
During his meetings with the leaders of Mozambique, the minister discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and noted the excellent Government-to-Government ties, strong business exchanges, vibrant development partnership, and long-standing people-to-people links between the two countries.
Singh is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Defence Secretary, DG, Coast Guards and senior officials of Ministries of Defence and External Affairs. His visit to the African nation concluded on July 30.
