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Nigerian president begins official five-day trip

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo began an official five-day trip to India on Tuesday with an appeal for the rejection of terrorism in all its forms.

"Internal or international terrorism should be strongly condemned," he told reporters after a welcoming ceremony presided over by his Indian counterpart K R Narayanan and attended by top government leaders at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Obasanjo, who will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday, earlier inspected an inter-service military guard of honour. He was also greeted by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Cabinet colleagues.

Obasanjo, who arrived in New Delhi late Monday, said he would discuss with Indian leaders steps to "further enhance bilateral relations".

He will also meet Indian Opposition leader Sonia Gandhi and business chiefs during the visit, which will take him to Halwara in the northern state of Punjab and Bangalore in the country's south.

Since Nigeria and India established diplomatic relations in 1962, the two have enjoyed "cordial and fruitful" political, diplomatic, technical, cultural and military relations, a Nigerian presidential statement said.

Nigeria hopes to attract Indian investors and encourage private sector cooperation between the two countries.

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