India, Benin sign five agreements

New Delhi, Mar 4 (ANI): India and the West African nation of Benin signed five agreements on Wednesday in the fields of small-scale industries, cultural and scientific cooperation and diplomatic exchange.

The agreements were signed after delegation level talks headed by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the visiting President of Benin, Boni Yayi.

New Delhi also offered Benin a liberalised line of credit for its developmental needs.

Earlier, Yayi was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Talking to media, Yayi extended his support to India in the fight against terrorism. He also favoured New Delhi's inclusion in the reformed United Nations Security Council to have a democratic world order.

Yayi is scheduled to meet President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani.

During his five-day visit to India, he will also visit Agra, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Wednesday's engagement was Dr. Singh first official one after undergoing by pass surgery five weeks ago.

Dr. Singh underwent a 'redo' coronary artery bypass surgery to remove five blockages in his heart at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on January 24, and has since been recuperating. (ANI)