Speaking to South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday in Pretoria, as part of his African tour, Modi emphasized on using their common battles to create a solid foundation for trade between the two countries.
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Mr. Modi said Mr. Zuma and he also agreed on the need to work more closely on worldwide issues and emerging global challenges.
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said one of the key objectives of Modi’s visit would be to enhance commercial and business relations between the two countries and to promote contact between each other’s private sectors.
Recalling the comprehensive Strategic Partnership between South Africa and India, which was established through the Red Fort Declaration and reaffirmed in the Tshwane Declaration, both countries further committed to elevate efforts in achieving the goals set out in the Declaration noting that in 2017 the twentieth commemoration of the signing of the Red Fort Declaration will be celebrated. The story of investments also continues to be bright. The preferential trade agreement being pursued by the South African Customs Union and India were acknowledged with both leaders noting the contribution such an agreement will make to intensifying trade relations between Southern Africa and India.
India and Mozambique on Thursday signed three agreements, including one on purchase of pulses, following delegation level talks led by Modi and Nyusi.
“He went to South Africa as a lawyer seeking work and returned to India as a strong voice for humanitarian values, who would go on to shape the history of humankind”.
Mr. Modi said the nature of their developing economies demanded that their engagement should also focus on improving their human capital. “Indian companies hold strong business interests in South Africa”, he said. “Our companies can pool their capacities to jointly develop or manufacture defense equipment and platforms”, he said. Climate change, and its impact on the world, is our shared concern.
He also said South Africa will continue to work closely with India on the reform of the United Nations and its organs, specifically the Security Council, as well as the worldwide financial institutions. “I welcome South Africa’s chairmanship of the organisation for 2017-19”, he said.
South Africa has been vocal on the need to reform the UN Security Council, making it a natural ally in India’s long-running campaign to be made a permanent member. “I look forward to welcoming President Zuma in Goa for the BRICS Summit later this year, in October”.
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In a joint press interaction with Zuma, Modi invoked Mahatma Gandhi and said he belongs as much to India as to South Africa. “It is truly exceptional and unlike any other”, he said.
