NEW DELHI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indian President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on a seven-day visit to Philippines and Japan on Thursday, with an aim to expand bilateral cooperation, said an official at the Ministry of External Affairs.
President's official twitter handle said "President Kovind departs for a state visit to Philippines. This is the first state visit by a President to Philippines in 13 years. Following the same, the President shall visit Japan to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito."
Accompanied by his wife Savita Kovind, the president would be visiting the Philippines on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He is expected to hold restricted and delegation-level talks with his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Manila and attend business and community events during his stay on Oct. 17-20.
The president's second leg of the tour would be Japan, where he is scheduled to attend enthronement ceremony of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito. There he is expected to attend various ceremonies related to the Emperor's enthronement and a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
