Modi meets President Jacob Zuma.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Scaling up the partnership with a traditional ally, India signed agreements on information technology and tourism with South Africa during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country, on Friday.
Modi, who is on a four-nation tour in Africa, met South African President Jacob Zuma and both the leaders agreed to strengthen co-operation in the areas of defense production, manufacturing, mining, and minerals. Calling for the combined effort of both the countries to fight terrorism, India and South Africa decided to join hands in responding to regional and global demands.
“I am convinced that industry to industry ties can not only bring rich economic gains to our societies. They can give a new shape to our partnership, and drive it to new levels. And, in the process, also help both our nations to play a more robust regional and global role,” Modi said at a joint press meet.
Modi thanked Zuma for South Africa’s support to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group during the meet of the two leaders. Emphasizing the need for improving the human capital, Modi offered to share its expertise and capacities for the development of small and medium business in South Africa.
Modi and Zuma held talks on renewable energy, combating terrorism, and on expanding co-operation in the areas of minerals and mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and information technology.
Talking about terrorism, Modi said, “terrorism is another shared threat that puts at risk the safety and security of our people. It attacks the very foundations of our society. The President and I agreed that our two nations need to stay vigilant and cooperate actively to combat terrorism, both in our region and in the world,” he added.
Both the leaders insisted on the importance of fighting racism together.
“South Africa and India enjoy strong relations dating back to the struggle against apartheid. India was a vociferous campaigner against apartheid colonialism,” Zuma said.
Invoking the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said, “It was in South Africa that Gandhi found his true calling. He belongs as much to India as to South Africa.”
Modi was received by Zuma in Pretoria on Friday. Modi will address the Indian Diaspora at a stadium in Johannesburg. He is expected to take a train journey to commemorate the struggles Mahatma Gandhi had to experience in the country.
Earlier, the Indian Prime Minister visited Mozambique on the first leg of his four-nation visit. He will be visiting Tanzania and Kenya in upcoming days.