Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari today left on a two-nation visit to Nigeria and Mali. The visit is aimed at giving a new filip to India's bilateral ties with the west African nations.<br/><br/>During the 5-day visit, Mr Ansari will hold discussions with the top leadership of both the countries and explore new areas of co-operation. A range of issues, including terrorism, are expected to come up during the discussions. <br/><br/>This will be the first ever high-level visit to Mali from India. In Abuja, Mr. Ansari will hold talks with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo, president of the Senate, speaker<br/>of the House of Representatives and deliver an address at the<br/>National Defence College of Nigeria.<br/><br/>He will also meet the governor of Lagos and deliver an address to the joint business forum at the University of Lagos.<br/><br/>The vice president will inaugurate the High Commission of India Chancery complex at Abuja and interact with members of the Indian community both in Abuja and Lagos.<br/><br/>Our correspondent, covering the visit, reports that on the first leg, the Vice President will reach Nigerian capital Abuja this evening and will also visit Lagos before leaving for Mali on Thursday.