With the arrival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s arrival in New Delhi, India and Turkey will hold bilateral talks on Monday. Erdogan, who arrived here on Sunday, is on a two-day state visit to India.
This is Erdogan’s first visit to India as the Turkish President.
He had won a referendum on April 16 which gave him more executive powers as the President.
Economic ties, cooperation in the fight against terrorism and talk on Turkey’s support to India in its bid to become a member in the coveted Nuclear Supplier’s Group are expected to dominate the bilateral talks.
Erdogan was accorded a ceremonial welcome on Monday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Erdogan. He was then accorded the ceremonial guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His official engagements also include a call on by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
He will also attend a business event and interact with industry captains. India-Turkey trade stands at $6.4 billion. Ankara wants a Free Trade Agreement and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to bridge the deficit with New Delhi.
Erdogan will also be conferred with the Honorary Degree by the Jamia Milia Islamia University.
Erdogan had visited India in 2008, when he was the prime minister. After eleven years as the Prime Minister, he was elected President in 2014.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has directed security agencies to ensure that he be provided the highest security cover in the wake of threats from the ISIS.
The IB has even demanded that his aircraft be guarded at all times during his stay in the capital.
A special request to allow officers deployed for his personal security to carry weapons has also been placed.
