New Delhi - In his first official engagement after undergoing a heart bypass surgery in January, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Benin President Bon Yayi in New Delhi Wednesday.

Singh joined the African nation's leader in a photo opportunity at his residence, after which the two men engaged in delegation-level talks.

The talks will be followed by the signing of several agreements for institutionalizing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, a release from India's External Affairs Ministry said.

Bon Yayi is on a three-day state visit to India.

Doctors have been closely monitoring 76-year-old Singh's health since the January surgery.

Singh suffered from a bout of viral fever last week, but was declared fit during a post-surgery assessment Sunday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

With a general election scheduled to be held in India from April 16, there has been speculation in the media on whether Singh will be able to handle the tough campaigning as prime ministerial candidate for his Congress Party.

Leaders of political parties travel across the country in the run-up to election, often addressing two or more public rallies in a day.

Federal Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee has been carrying out most of the prime minister's duties over the past month.

Congress Party officials, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, have repeatedly said that Singh was their prime ministerial candidate.

The Congress Party is the leading member of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Singh's UPA government completes its five-year term in May. (dpa)