Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has left for Maputo on a 3-day visit to the island nation of  Mozambique in southern Africa on Sunday.

Singh’s visit is aimed at strengthening defence ties between the two countries.

The Defence Minister tweeted:” Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3-day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation. Look forward to deepening and strengthen defence cooperation between India & Mozambique during my visit”.

Officials said Singh is scheduled to hold talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and Minister of National Defence Atanasio Ntumuke, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister during his visit. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to defence cooperation with the African nation is expected to be signed during his visit.

The Defence Minister will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs.