The President Mrs.Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will be on a nine day state visit to South Africa and Seychelles beginning Sunday. She will be accompanied by a huge business delegation to both the countries. Briefing the newsmen in New Delhi today, Secretary West in the External Affairs Ministry Mr. M. Ganapathi said, the visits are expected to provide a platform for an extensive exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He said, the presence of a business delegation will allow for greater business to business engagement providing for expansion in trade, economic and investment related activity between India, Seychelles and South Africa. Mr. Ganapathi said, the visits will encourage greater people-to-people contact and provide greater content and meaning to India’s partnership with both Seychelles and South Africa.