Turkish President Erdogan accorded ceremonial welcome

New Delhi, May 1: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Erdogan. He was then accorded the ceremonial guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"India is delighted to welcome President Erdogan of Turkey. Will hold talks with him and also address a business summit," Modi said in a tweet.

"Beginning an important visit," Gopal Baglay, official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs said in another tweet.

Later the visiting dignitary paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Turkish President and discussed issues of bilateral interest.

Later during the day, Erdogan will participate in delegation-level talks with Modi. The two sides were also expected to sign a series of agreements.

Modi and Erdogan will also address a business event organised by Indian business bodies.

Erdogan, who arrived here on Sunday, is on a two-day state visit.

His visit comes after winning the April 16 referendum, which gives him more executive powers as President.

Terrorism will also feature in the talks.

India-Turkey trade stands at $6.4 billion. Ankara wants a Free Trade Agreement and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to bridge the deficit with New Delhi.

His last visit to India was in 2008 when he was the Prime Minister.

Mukherjee visited Turkey in 2013. Modi also met Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Antalya in 2015.