President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday embarked on a week-long visit to the Philippines and Japan with an aim to expand the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
“President Kovind departs for a state visit to Philippines. This is the first state visit by a President to Philippines in 13 years. Following the same, the President shall visit Japan to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito,” President’s official twitter account reads.
Kovind will pay a State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines from October 17-21 and visit Japan from October 21-23, 2019 to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito, he Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The State visit is taking place on the occasion of 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The President will hold restricted and delegation level talks with President Duterte in Manila and will also participate in business and community events, it said.
During his visit to Japan, the President will attend various ceremonies related to the Emperor’s enthronement and also a banquet hosted by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, the statement said.
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, it said.
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 added.
