PM calls for greater engagement between India & South Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a greater engagement between India and South Africa even as he commended African nations support at the crucial NSG meet.

After the delegation level talks, Prime Minister Modi was categorical that the trade ties must be expanded further to realize true potential between the two BRICs nations.

Important MoUs, including in tourism and information and communications that were finalized as the leaders sat across to take the diplomatic and trade relations to the next level.

Prime Minister didn’t hesitate to call for further expanding the scope of engagements. A call which was earlier endorsed by President Jacob Zuma as well.

Prime Minister Modi also called the visit an opportunity to pay respect to two great leaders from India and South Africa- Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Trade and people to people contacts were the main focus of Prime Minister’s speech as he stressed on the importance to increase trade and investment, especially scaling up engagements in human resource development.

India also thanked South Africa of its support in the NSG meet in Seoul.

This visit marks yet another glorious chapter in India-South Africa relations, which have travelled from the fight against racial prejudice to a resolve to join hands and realize potential in trade and commerce ties.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded with a ceremonial welcome at the Union Buildings in South Africa’s Pretoria.

South African President Jacob Zuma accompanied the Prime Minister as he inspected the guard of honour at the Union Buildings.

The Prime Minister will today address a India-South Africa business meet during his stay in South Africa.

India and South Africa have a two-way trade reaching 5.3 billion dollars in 2015-16.