President Kovind leaves for Philippines and Japan on seven-day visit

The official Twitter handle of the President of India tweeted that President Ram Nath Kovind will depart on a seven-day visit to Japan and the Philippines from Thursday, October 17. In Japan, the President will attend the enthronement ceremony of the new Japanese Emperor Naruhito. President Kovind will further unveil the bust of Mahatama Gandhi at the Center of Peace Education at a college in Manila, Philippines. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that the purpose of President Kovind seven-day visit to the Philipines and Japan is to expand bilateral cooperation. "The President's visit to the two countries reaffirms India's commitment to strengthen its bilateral ties based on traditional bonds of friendship and mutual understanding," it said.

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President of India's official Twitter handle confirmed the visit:

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'70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations'

The President's first destination will be the Philippines where he will hold restricted and delegation-level talks with his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Manila. The President will further address the general meetings of Indo-Philippine business conclave and fourth ASEAN India business summit. Ram Nath Kovind will also unveil the bust of Mahatama Gandhi at the Centre of Peace Education at Marian College in Manila. "The state visit is taking place on the occasion of 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries," the MEA said.

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President Kovind will attend the Enthronement ceremony

From the Philippines, the President will leave for Japan on October 21, for a three-day visit. He is visiting Japan to attend the Enthronement ceremony of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito, the MEA said. In Japan, the MEA said the President will attend various ceremonies related to the Emperor's enthronement and also a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"Along with participating in a community event, the president will visit a Buddhist temple and plant a sapling from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Gaya to highlight India and Japan's historical and cultural linkages based on Buddhism," the MEA said.

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(INPUTS FROM PTI)