New Delhi: Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade on October 13 said he looked forward to further strengthening ties with India and enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Wade who is on a four-day visit to this country was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi where he was welcomed by President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and several ministers and senior officials and diplomats.

Talking to reporters after the ceremonial reception, which included an inter-services Guard of Honour, he said the various agreements to be signed during his visit would provide a boost to Indo-Senegal ties.

Wade who arrived in Delhi on October 12 night at the head of a high-powered delegation, will have wide ranging discussions with the Prime Minister on the entire gamut of bilateral issues besides exchanging views on important regional and international developments, including the Iraq situation and West Asia crisis.

He will also be meeting the President and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and also several Ministers including those for Agriculture and Chemical and Fertilisers and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi.

Wade will also visit Agra, Bangalore and Pune.

PTI