Turkish president to visit India

By Meltem Bulur and Sultan Cogalan

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit India at the end of April, Anadolu Agency reported Friday.

The two-day visit will be the first-ever official trip at the presidential level from Turkey to India in seven years.

The Turkish president will participate in “Turkey-India Business Forum” on the first day of his stay on April 30. He is also expected to meet his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, Deputy President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Talks are expected to cover fight against terrorism, efforts to boost bilateral ties in economy and trade, the prevention of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) activity in India and the country’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

According to Turkish officials, there are 6 schools, 2 private teaching institutions, 3 dormitories and various companies and foundations associated with the FETO in India. Turkey expects India to take steps in fight against FETO.

Erdogan’s visit is expected to witness the signing of a cultural exchange program between the two countries as well.

India has the second largest Muslim population in the world.

The country is a member of Group of 20 and it is one of the BRICS countries -- the five major emerging national economies along with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.