Fortifying the strategic partnership, India and South Africa signed “Strategic Programme of Cooperation”
New Delhi, Jan 25: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a 2-day state visit in India. This visit to India as the state guest of honor at the Republic Day celebration gave a fresh push to bilateral relations.
PM Narendra Modi and President Ramaphosa discussed a wide range of issues about cooperation in defense and security, Trade and investment, Skill development, S&T, Education, and technical cooperation and multilateral forums.
President of South Africa is accorded ceremonial welcome by President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi. He also inspected Guard of Honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan. South African President Ramaphosa was invited by PM Modi when the leaders meet on G20 Summit sideline events at Argentina.
He is the second President of South Africa after President Nelson Mandela to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day. President Ramaphosa accompanied by First Lady paid his respects to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat whose 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated both nationally and internationally and who has a special connection in South Africa.
PM Modi warmly welcomed President Ramaphosa ahead of delegation level talks. This is a fourth meeting within the year. The delegation level talks highlighted enhanced engagement with South Africa and the African Continent.
In the press statement, PM Modi said, “Visit of the South African President is crucial.” He also added all bilateral issues including trade and investment were discussed in the meeting.
He said India is a partner in South Africa’s skill development programme. India and South Africa have agreed to take the relationship to a newer level.
South African President said, “India is a strategic partner for South Africa. South Africa attaches the highest importance to its relations with India and considerable scope exists to deepen bilateral relations at an economic level.”
He said Trade should reach a higher level between the two countries.
The 3-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation: South Africa and India 2019-2022, a comprehensive document was signed and exchanged by MEA Sushma Swaraj and Finance minister of Africa, Lindiwe Sisulu in the presence of both heads of nations. This document is an outline of a roadmap for cooperation between both the countries.
President Ramaphosa delivered the Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture organized by Indian Council of World Affairs under IBSA framework as a part of the celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of IBSA.
India and South Africa enjoy a close and multifaceted strategic partnership since 1997, which is underpinned by historical, cultural and economic linkages. Several high-level visits have been exchanged in the recent past, including the visit of Prime Minister for the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. About 1.5 million Indian Origin People live in South Africa and form an enduring link. Over 150 Indian companies have invested in South Africa employing over 20,000 locals. India is among the top five trading partners of South Africa. Both countries have close cooperation in the areas of vocational training, capacity building etc. Both countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral forums like UN, BRICS, G-20, Commonwealth, IORA and the IBSA.