Ceremonial welcome for Indian PM Narendra Modi at Mozambique

​Maputo (Mozambique): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Office in Maputo on his arrival here.

"Mozambique honours. PM Narendra Modi receives a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Office in Maputo," tweeted Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

"Reaching out across the Indian Ocean. PM Narendra Modi and President Filipe Nyusi begin with restricted talks," Swarup added.

Modi arrived in Mozambique on Thursday morning, the first leg of his four-nation tour to Africa.

“An early morning arrival in Mozambique. Important talks await the PM in this brief but important visit,” the Prime Minister's Office tweeted earlier.

Modi will later also meet with Veronica Macomo, President of Mozambique's National Assembly.

His other programmes in the day include an interaction with students at the Science and Technology Park, Maluana, and an Indian community reception.

He will leave for South Africa on Thursday evening.

This is the Prime Minister's first official visit to mainland Africa. He is also scheduled to visit Tanzania and Kenya.