<p>In his first foreign visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Mozambique on July 28-30 with a gift of 44 SUVs and two interceptor boats.</p>.<p>In return, the African nation is likely to share valuable white shipping information and may allow Indian naval ships to carry out hydrographic surveys in the future.</p>.<p>Located on the east coast of Africa, Mozambique has emerged as one of India's top priorities in foreign relations for two factors – its huge liquid natural gas reserve and its strategic locations, which can be exploited to keep a watch on crucial sea lanes of communications in the Indian Ocean.</p>.<p>Maputo was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first pit stop in 2016, when he visited four African nations to spruce up India's relations with African countries.</p>.<p>During his visit, Singh will have talks with the President, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of Mozambique.</p>.<p>The two sides will sign three agreements on exclusive economic zone surveillance, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography with the underlying objective of boosting bilateral defence cooperation.</p>.<p>Countering Chinese influence and securing an opportunity to monitor Chinese activities on the African coast are unstated objectives of the tour.</p>.<p>The defence minister will also attend a special ceremony in which 44 Sports Utility Vehicle and SUV two fast interceptor boats will be gifted to Mozambique.</p>.<p>For years, Indian Navy provided security to the African country that has 2500 km coastline but not enough naval resources.</p>.<p>During the African Union Summit in 2003 and World Economic Forum in 2004, the security was provided by the Indian Navy.</p>.<p>As recent as in March 2029, when cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, the Indian Navy was one of the first respondents to the humanitarian crisis.</p>.<p>As many as four Indian naval ships reached Port Beira with hundreds of tonnes of relief material. Mozambique also participated in the first Africa-India Field Training Exercise held in Pune in the same month.</p>
<p>In his first foreign visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Mozambique on July 28-30 with a gift of 44 SUVs and two interceptor boats.</p>.<p>In return, the African nation is likely to share valuable white shipping information and may allow Indian naval ships to carry out hydrographic surveys in the future.</p>.<p>Located on the east coast of Africa, Mozambique has emerged as one of India's top priorities in foreign relations for two factors – its huge liquid natural gas reserve and its strategic locations, which can be exploited to keep a watch on crucial sea lanes of communications in the Indian Ocean.</p>.<p>Maputo was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first pit stop in 2016, when he visited four African nations to spruce up India's relations with African countries.</p>.<p>During his visit, Singh will have talks with the President, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of Mozambique.</p>.<p>The two sides will sign three agreements on exclusive economic zone surveillance, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography with the underlying objective of boosting bilateral defence cooperation.</p>.<p>Countering Chinese influence and securing an opportunity to monitor Chinese activities on the African coast are unstated objectives of the tour.</p>.<p>The defence minister will also attend a special ceremony in which 44 Sports Utility Vehicle and SUV two fast interceptor boats will be gifted to Mozambique.</p>.<p>For years, Indian Navy provided security to the African country that has 2500 km coastline but not enough naval resources.</p>.<p>During the African Union Summit in 2003 and World Economic Forum in 2004, the security was provided by the Indian Navy.</p>.<p>As recent as in March 2029, when cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, the Indian Navy was one of the first respondents to the humanitarian crisis.</p>.<p>As many as four Indian naval ships reached Port Beira with hundreds of tonnes of relief material. Mozambique also participated in the first Africa-India Field Training Exercise held in Pune in the same month.</p>
