Indian President Kalam to visit UAE, Sudan, Bulgaria
NEW DELHI, Oct. 17, 2003 (PTI) — President A P J Abdul Kalam leaves New Delhi on Saturday on his first foreign visit that will take him to the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Bulgaria.
During the week-long state visit to the three countries, two agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding are to be signed with Bulgaria, including an Extradition Treaty and three agreements are likely to be signed in Sudan.
President’s visit to UAE taking place after a gap of 26 years, is significant in the backdrop of India’s growing ties with the gulf nation where there are over a million Indian expatriates.
Kalam will be received by Crown Prince Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayeed Al Nahyan, son of the UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, who is away in London for medical treatment, a foreign office spokesman said.
During his two-day stay in UAE starting on Saturday, he will address the Dubai Chambers of Commerce, interact with the Indian community and address students at the Indian High School there.
The President would also be visiting the Umm Al Nar Desalination Plant, Special Care Centre run by the Indian Ladies Association, Higher College of Technology and Knowledge Village.
Minister for Disinvestment Arun Shourie is the minister in waiting.
The Presidential visit to Sudan comes after a gap of 28 years with Fakruddin Ali Ahmed being the last Head of State to visit this largest African country in 1975 and is expected to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Kalam will have discussions with President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, Vice President Moses Machar, Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail and Minister of Energy and Mining Dr Awad Ahmed El Jazz.
He will also address the Sudanese Parliament, interact with academics and students of the University of Khartoum and meet the Sudanese alumni of Indian Universities.
During his visit to Bulgaria, he will have detailed discussions with President Georgi Parvanov,Vice President Angel Marin, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha, Speaker O Gerdjikov and Foreign Minister Solomon Passy on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Kalam will be meeting the Academy of Sciences of Bulgaria and also address the students and faculty of Sofia University.
The agreements which are to be inked during his two-day visit from October 22 are an Extradition Treaty, the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Youth Affairs and Sports and the MOU between the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council and the Bulgarian Chamber of Electronics and Information Technology.