President hosts banquet for Benin President

New Delhi, Mar 5 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil hosted a banquet for visiting Benin President Boni Yayi here on Wednesday evening.

Yayi is accompanied by a 34-member delegation including businessmen on his five-day visit to India.

Raising toast, Patil said that Yayi's visit would boost ties through investments, joint ventures and transfer of technology.

Earlier, the agreements were signed after delegation level talks headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Yayi.

India and the West African nation of Benin signed five agreements in the fields of small-scale industries, cultural and scientific cooperation and diplomatic exchange.

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.

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.

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