NEW DELHI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indian President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on a three-nation tour of Cyprus, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic Sunday.
His first stop is Cyprus capital Nicosia, where he is slated to hold discussions with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades.
President Kovind will also meet Demetris Syllouris, president of House of Representatives, and address the Parliament. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address the members of Indian diaspora, according to the Indian External Affairs Ministry.
India has substantial economic ties with Cyprus. Cumulative investment from Cyprus to India amounts to 9.2 billion U.S. dollars, making it the eighth largest investor in India.
From Cyprus, President Kovind will go to Bulgaria Tuesday.
In Sofia, the Indian president will meet Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. Kovind will address a business forum and deliver a lecture at Sofia University, the foreign ministry said.
The annual trade between India and Bulgaria stands at 315 million U.S. dollars and a number of Indian companies are present in Bulgaria and vice-versa.
On the last leg of his tour, the Indian president will go to the Czech Republic on Sept. 6. In Prague, he will meet Czech President Milos Zeman and discuss issues of mutual concern.
India's annual trade with the country stands at over 1 billion U.S. dollars. Substantial investment has been announced by Czech automakers in India.
