Indian president due in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to arrive in Manila for a state visit from Oct. 17 to 21 upon President Duterte’s invitation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

“The state visit marks an important milestone in the Philippine-India bilateral relations as both countries commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said the two officials would hold a bilateral meeting on Oct. 18 in Manila to discuss areas of mutual interest, including political, economic, cultural and people-to-people engagement.

Kovind is also expected to meet with members of the Indian community in the Philippines and the Filipino beneficiaries of the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation Inc.

Kovind, 74, was elected India’s 14th President in 2017. He was the candidate of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People’s Party), the world’s largest political party in terms of membership.

Kovind is the third Indian president to make a state visit to the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1949.