President Kovind to leave for Myanmar today

President Ram Nath Kovind will depart for a five-day visit to Myanmar on Monday, in an aim to boost bilateral relations.

In his maiden visit to the neighbouring country, President Kovind and First Lady Savita Kovind will arrive in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday evening.

On Tuesday, there will be a ceremonial welcome accorded to the President at Nay Pyi Taw, followed by delegation-level talks with his Myanmar counterpart Win Myint, read a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

President Kovind will also meet with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and witness the signing of agreements and press statements. In the evening, an official dinner will be hosted in honour of President Kovind and the First Lady and will also include a small cultural performance.

On December 12, President Kovind will pay a visit to the Advanced Center for Agricultural Research and Education and the Rice Bio-park. These are both Government of India projects funded by grants. The President will also launch a mobile application for agricultural technology. He will visit some labs at the institution.

President Kovind and First Lady will then emplane for Yangon on the same day. Upon their arrival, they will lay a wreath at the Martyr's Mausoleum, which is the resting place of General Aung San, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's late father, the statement added.

The President and First Lady will also pay a visit to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in the city.

Later that evening, there will be a short meeting and a photo opportunity with veterans of the Indian National Army which will be followed by a community reception in which about 500 people, mostly persons of Indian origin, will be invited.

On December 13, the President and the First Lady will visit the Shri Kali Temple and the Mazaar of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

President Kovind will then inaugurate 'Enterprise India' exhibition. This is an exhibition being set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) of about 45-50 Indian companies ranging from very large Indian companies to small enterprises to showcase Indian manufacturing capabilities and industrial technology.

After this, the President and the First Lady will visit the Dhamma Joti-Vipassana Meditation Centre.

On the morning of December 14, President Kovind and First Lady will depart for New Delhi after completing their engagements in Myanmar.