The President Mrs.Pratibha Devi Singh Patil left New Delhi Sunday morning on a nine day state visit to the Seychelles and South Africa.

She will discuss issues of bilateral, regional and International concerns with her counterparts in the two countries.

In the first leg of her two nation tour, the President will arrive in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles this afternoon.

AIR correspondent covering the President's visit reports that augmenting bilateral trade relations with both the African nations is high on the agenda.

The President is being accompanied by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot and parliamentarians Dr. Prabha Thakur and Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre along with senior officials and a large business delegation.

The President will leave for South Africa on Tuesday.