Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started his four-nation safari in Mozambique, tweeting about his arrival in Portuguese.
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Noting that India and Mozambique are connected by the Indian Ocean, the Prime Minister talked about t he “emerging security challenges”, including those in the maritime areas, and said the two countries will step up security and defence cooperation.
He is expected to meet with the Indian community in South Africa, which has more than one million people of Indian origin.
Revealing specifics in his Facebook posts, the Prime Minister mentioned the intention behind his visit to Mozambique is to improve cooperation and provide a boost to cultural links.
“Prime Minister Modi was earlier accorded a warm and colourful ceremonial welcome, kickstarting his first engagement of the day here to deepen ties with the African nation”.
“I will have the honour to visit Phoenix Settlement and Pietermaritzburg Station, two places very closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa”.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) – The leaders of India and South Africa paid tribute Friday to what South African President Jacob Zuma called “two liberation icons, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi”, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought closer ties in defense and security during a four-nation African tour.
During his address to the Indian community, he highlighted the contribution of Indian to the African continent while acknowledging the contributions of African to India. Modi’s trip aims to build business relationships with the continent. But as has been pointed out by many, the country’s economy with South Africa faces serious contention from China. “We are also strengthening our partnership in food security”, the PM added. It remains to be seen whether South Africa would risk angering China – its strategic ally and largest trading partner in Asia – by agreeing to India’s request. “We complement each other”, Modi said. As India’s establishment as a global donor continues, greater development finance commitments feature prominently in Modi’s Africa strategy particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique.
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“The business meetings will also serve to promote investment by Indian companies in South Africa through the identification of areas of investment and by investigating ways in which to simplify procedures for companies investing in South Africa”, he added.
