Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
International

Modi Pays Tribute To Nelson Mandela

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Jul, 2016 11:08 AM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid emphasis on industry-to-industry ties between India and South Africa for greater economic gains while thanking South African President Jacob Zuma for extending support to India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
     
    “I am convinced that industry-to-industry ties not only can bring rich economic gains to our societies, they can give a new shape to our partnership, and drive it to new levels,” Modi said in a joint press statement with Zuma following delegation-level talks between the two sides.
     
    “And, in the process, also help both our nations to play a more robust regional and global role,” he stated.
     
    Modi said that in the last two decades, the relationship between the two countries has been a story of strong advances and concrete achievements.
     
    “Two-way trade has grown by over 300 per cent in the last 10 years. Indian companies hold strong business interests in South Africa,” he said.
     
    The Prime Minister said that one-fourth of India's investments in Africa were in South Africa.
     
    “And there is potential to expand our business and investment ties further, especially in the areas of mineral and mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, high technology manufacturing and information and communication technology,” he said.
     
    Modi said that given the nature of the two countries' developing economies, both should also focus on improving human capital. 
     
    The Prime Minister said the two countries could also partner in the field of defence and security. 
     
    “Both, at the level of industry and for our strategic and security needs. In India, this is one of the sectors witnessing a complete transformation,” he said. 
     
    Modi said, during Friday's talks he and Zuma agreed on the need to work more closely on international issues and emerging global challenges.
     
    “I thanked the President for South Africa's support to India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” he said. 
     
    “We know that we can count on the active support of our friends, like South Africa,” he stated, adding that climate change was another issue of shared concern. 
     
    He said that both sides agreed to “cooperate actively to combat terrorism, both in our region and in the world”.
     
    He welcomed South Africa's chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and said that it has emerged as a key platform of engagement for the maritime neighbours connected by the Indian Ocean. 
     
    On a personal note, Modi said the visit has given him the opportunity to pay homage to the two great souls, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
     
    In his remarks, President Zuma said that over 100 Indian companies were operating in South Africa and these were playing a “significant role” in the country's economy and job creation.
     
    “We are looking to diversify South Africa's exports to India,” he said.
     
    Zuma cited the defence sector, deep mining and renewable energy as areas of bilateral cooperation.
     
    According to him, water management, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure development are areas that hold potential in the future.
     
    The President also called tourism promotion for improving people-to-people ties.
     
    Following Friday's talks, both sides signed three memorandums of understanding - on information and communication technology, tourism, and grass root innovation in the science and technology - and a programme of cooperation in arts and culture.
     
    After a lunch hosted by Zuma, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the visiting dignitary.
     
    Modi and Zuma are scheduled to attend an India-South Africa business summit later on Friday.
     
    The Prime Minister will then visit the Constitution Hill and the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.
     
    In the evening, he will address an Indian diaspora rally in Johannesburg before departing for Durban where his engagements are scheduled for Saturday. 
     
    Modi arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on Thursday night on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa.
     
    This is his first visit to mainland Africa and is also the first prime ministerial visit from India to South Africa since the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in 2013 for the G20 summit in Durban.
     
    Apart from Mozambique and South Africa, Modi will also visit Tanzania and Kenya. 

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Brexit: Indians Are Part Of The Flock, Let's Face The Music

    The next three months will be crucial for the country when the new team at 10 Downing Street begins their talks to find out new deals to protect the country's interests.

    Brexit: Indians Are Part Of The Flock, Let's Face The Music

    Travelling To Britain To Become Cheaper With Brexit: Experts

    Travelling To Britain To Become Cheaper With Brexit: Experts
    Planning to capture a panoramic view of London in your camera or to take a selfie in front of Big Ben? 

    Travelling To Britain To Become Cheaper With Brexit: Experts

    Lady Or The Trump: Who Takes The Washington 'Taj'?

    Lady Or The Trump: Who Takes The Washington 'Taj'?
    She called him "most dangerous" and he dubbed her a "world class liar" and "most corrupt" as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump joined the battle of the most unpopular candidates ever sending fact-checkers scrambling for truth.

    Lady Or The Trump: Who Takes The Washington 'Taj'?

    Brexit Will Boost India-UK Ties: Priti Patel

    Ms Patel, who has a seat in the UK Cabinet as minister for employment and also serves as Prime Minister David Cameron's Indian Diaspora Champion, is now expected to play an active role on the front-benches of British politics.

    Brexit Will Boost India-UK Ties: Priti Patel

    Disused Gurdwara Vandalised By Teenagers In UK: Report

    Disused Gurdwara Vandalised By Teenagers In UK: Report
    A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 12.07am on Thursday, 23 June to a report of criminal damage at a derelict property in Clarence Place, Gravesend."

    Disused Gurdwara Vandalised By Teenagers In UK: Report

    Indian-American Elected Delegate To GOP Convention

    Indian-American Elected Delegate To GOP Convention
    An Indian-American has been elected as a Republican delegate for a record fourth consecutive term to the party's July convention in Cleveland which would formally nominate real-estate tycoon Donald Trump as its presidential candidate.

    Indian-American Elected Delegate To GOP Convention