Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari will undertake a five-day visit to Morocco and Tunisia beginning May 30 as part of efforts to build on diplomatic gains from the India-Africa summit held in October last year.
The Vice President will discuss with leaders in the two North African countries issues of terrorism, UN Security Council expansion and investments in private sector, as well as ways to strengthen outreach to Africa and regional matters.
Ansari will be in Morocco from May 30 to June 1 at the invitation of Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said, adding the two leaders would jointly launch the India-Morocco Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rabat.
During the visit, a number of MoUs will be signed in areas like education amd IT, focusing on "capacity building and cultural exchange".
In the second leg of his two-nation tour, Ansari will be visiting Tunisia from June 2 to June 3.
Ansari's visit "will build on diplomatic gains" from the India-Africa summit and "we have chosen these two countries as they are great examples of democracy", Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA Amar Sinha said.
"Hello Africa, Tell me how are you doing?" will be India's motto for the continent, he said, adding there will be a series of visits by Indian leaders to Africa in the coming days.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Africa this year.