IAFS: Morocco king arrives in Delhi for summit

Morocco King Mohammed VI was the first head of state to arrive on Sunday to participate in the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit that begins on Monday.

He was received by Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan.

"The first head of state arrives. King of Morocco Mohammed VI in Delhi, received by Minister Sanjeev Balyan," said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of the ministry of External Affairs in a tweet.

The summit will witness a record participation of all 54 countries of the African continent, most of them represented by their heads of state or government.

This is perhaps the only time all 54 African countries are coming together for such a meeting outside the continent.

The agenda includes a meeting of senior officials on October 26, meeting of foreign ministers on October 27 and the summit on October 29. There will also be bilateral meetings, while President Pranab Mukherjee will host a grand banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the evening of October 29.

The summit is expected to address key challenges facing participating countries, including food, health and environment, as well as deepen cooperation on maritime security and countering terrorism.