The Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari, on Saturday, returned Delhi after concluding the 2-nation Africa visit to Nigeria and Mali after having talks on terrorism, defense and connectivity with the top leadership of the two countries.

Ansari said that his visit to the African countries as ‘very satisfying’ and said it was a follow up on many ideas discussed during the India-Africa summit last year.

In Nigeria’s capital Abuja, vice-president held talks with President Muhammadu Buhari and his counterpart Yemi Osinbajo. He also addressed members of the Nigerian and Indian industry as well as the Indian community besides delivering speech at the National College of Defense.

Hamid Ansari also visited Nigeria’s largest city Lagos, where he met members of the Indian community and also delivered a speech at the University of Lagos.

The two countries held discussions on various issues such as cooperation in the field of security, defense, ICT, culture, oil and gas, concessional credits, bilateral air services agreements, power, IT, telecom, infrastructure and fight against terrorism. An agreements was signed on Standards in Nigeria.

From Nigeria, Andsari went to Malian capital Bamako where he addressed the National Assembly, Parliament of Mali and met President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, PM Modibo Keita, CEOs of Indian origin and Indian companies and also Indian posted in the West African country under United Nations Mission.

Ansari also participated in the Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque with the Prime Minister and hundreds of other devout.

The two MoUs have been signed between India and Mali on standard and cultural exchange.

Wife, Salma Ansari, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal, MPs Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Dilip Kumar Tirkey and Mohammed Salim and few senior officials accompanied the vice president for the tour.

By Prajakt K.