President Kovind leaves for Philippines and Japan on seven-day visit

official Twitter handle of President of India tweeted that President Ram Nath Kovind will depart on a seven-day visit to Japan and Philippines from Thursday, October 17. In Japan, President will attend enthronement ceremony of new Japanese Emperor Naruhito. President Kovind will furr unveil bust of Mahatama Gandhi at Center of Peace Education at a college in Manila, Philippines.  Ministry of External Affairs anunced that purpose of President Kovind seven-day visit to Philipines and Japan is to expand bilateral cooperation. " President's visit to two countries reaffirms India's commitment to strengn its bilateral ties based on tritional bonds of friendship and mutual understanding," it said.

RE| Air Force Day: President Ram Nath Kovind Wishes 'air Warriors'

President of India's official Twitter handle confirmed visit:

RE| President Ram Nath Kovind Receives Credentials From Five Countries

'70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations'

President's first destination will be Philippines where he will hold restricted and delegation-level talks with his Filipi counterpart Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Manila. President will furr dress general meetings of Indo-Philippine business conclave and fourth ASEAN India business summit. Ram Nath Kovind will also unveil bust of Mahatama Gandhi at Centre of Peace Education at Marian College in Manila. " state visit is taking place on occasion of 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries," MEA said.

RE| PM Modi Wishes President Kovind On His Birthday, Here's What He Said

President Kovind will attend Enthronement ceremony

From Philippines, President will leave for Japan on October 21, for a three-day visit. He is visiting Japan to attend Enthronement ceremony of Emperor of Japan Naruhito, MEA said. In Japan, MEA said President will attend various ceremonies related to Emperor's enthronement and also a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"Along with participating in a community event, president will visit a Buddhist temple and plant a sapling from sacred Bodhi Tree in Gaya to highlight India and Japan's historical and cultural links based on Buddhism," MEA said.

RE| President Kovind In Iceland; Counterpart Condemns Pulwama Attack

(INPUTS FROM PTI)