Modi visits innovation centre in Mozambique

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited the Centre for Innovation and Technological Development (CITD) at Maluana near here that has been built with Indian aid and interacted with students.

"New capacities for a closer partnership. PM @narendramodi visits Centre for Innovation & Technological Development," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The CITD is situated at the Science and Technology Park, built with an Indian line of credit.

Modi also interacted with students during his visit to the centre.

"At CITD, PM @narendramodi interacts with students who have studied in India under ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) and other programmes," Swarup said in another tweet.

India and Mozambique on Thursday signed three agreements, including one on purchase of pulses, following delegation level talks led by Modi and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

Nyusi also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting Indian Prime Minister.

Modi later visited the Mozambique National Assembly and met its President Veronica Macamo.

Earlier on Thursday, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome after his arrival in Maputo on the first leg of his four-nation Africa tour,.

Modi is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community before leaving for South Africa in the evening.

This is Modi's first official visit to mainland Africa and is also the first prime ministerial visit from India to Mozambique in 34 years since the visit of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982.

Apart from Mozambique and South Africa, he will also visit Tanzania and Kenya during his African sojourn.

--IANS

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