India, Mozambique sign agreements on drug trafficking, sports, pulses

The MoU is aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit drug trafficking.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi witnessed the signing of agreements in areas of drug trafficking, pulse trading and sports between India and Mozambique here on Thursday.

The three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) - on reduction of drug trafficking and psychotropic substances and related materials, cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports, and long term agreement for purchase of pulses - were signed between Secretary of Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Amar Sinha and Mozambique's Finance Minister.

The Union Cabinet had on Tuesday given its approval for the signing of an MoU between India and Mozambique on drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs.

Read: Modi gets ceremonial welcome at Mozambique; focus on Indo-Africa ties

The MoU is aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking in narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors through an exchange of information, expertise and capacity building.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup described the signing of agreements as 'Renewing a traditional friendship' between the two countries. "The leaders witnessed signing of 3 agreements in Maputo," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi and the Mozambican President earlier in the day held restricted talks at the Presidential Office in Maputo after which both sides held bilateral talks to bolster ties.

Prime Minister Modi was earlier accorded a warm and colourful ceremonial welcome, kickstarting his first engagement of the day here to deepen ties with the African nation.

Prime Minister Modi reached Maputo as a part of his four nation tour of the African continent this morning.

During his five-day four-nation tour to Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, energy, food security, trade, maritime cooperation and diaspora interactions will high on the Prime Minister's agenda.

(This story originally appeared in the deccan Chronicle as may the case be)