PM arrives in SA to pep up bilateral ties

Durban, Sept 30: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here today on a four-day official visit to South Africa for strengthening the strategic content in bilateral relations and inaugurate centenary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's launching of the 'Satyagraha' that ultimately saw the British out of India.

The Prime Minister, who is accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, will have discussions with South African President Thabo Mbeki on various issues including co-operation in civilian nuclear energy and political and economic fields.

South Africa, a member of the powerful Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and a uranium rich country, has already expressed its willingness for cooperation in civilian nuclear energy with India.

It has also promised support to India's cause at the NSG when the Indo-US nuclear deal comes up for discussion.

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister, along with Mr Mbeki, will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of the 'Satyagraha' movement or 'Passive Resistance' which later became the roadmap for South African iconic leader Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid. The occasion will be marked by speeches by Dr Singh and the South African President.

Noted Sarod Player Amjad Ali Khan will also give a performance on the occasion.

On October 2, the Prime Minister will pay homage at the Resistance Park where South Africans put into practice Gandhian principles of passive resistance in the fight against apartheid.

The Prime Minister will also visit the Phoenix Settlement which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi in 1904.

He will also inaugurate a photo exhibition at a prison in Johannesburg where Gandhiji was incarcerated.

The same day, the two leaders will hold formal discussions on various bilateral, regional and international issues and on carrying the strategic relationship forward. The discussions between the two heads of Government will be followed by delegation-level talks. The South African President will also address the CEOs' Forum which is headed by noted industrialist Ratan Tata.

The two countries will sign three agreements for cooperation in science and technology, railways and education. Three more pacts are being negotiated. These include the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement (BIPA).

Sources said the discussions between the two leaders to be held at the Union Building in Pretoria, will also focus on consolidation of the outcome of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summits held recently in Brasilia and Havana respectively.

The visit takes place in the spirit of the South-South Cooperation for increased trade and market access for fast-tracking developmental agenda of the South, the sources added.

The two leaders will also discuss the outcome of the 61st UN General Assembly Session including the UN reforms, and peace and security and development in the African continent.

The Prime Minister will interact with the members of the South Africa-India CEOs' Forum co-chaired by Indian Industrialist Ratan Tata and Patrice Motsepe in Johannesburg.

Opportunities that have been identified for closer bilateral co-operation and would form part of South Africa's trade development agenda in India include capital equipment, agro-processed products, autos and components, services, Information Technology, science and technology, health and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises.

Bilateral trade is four billion US Dollars and there is a realisation that only a fraction of the potential is used given the kind of resources that South Africa has.

The areas for investment are pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and telecommunications. Information Technology and Science and Technology are also now coming up.

South Africa is very keen to get India's skills and the problem of poverty and unemployment in that country can be removed by creation of skills and employment. There is also need to hasten development in South Africa and India can be a very important partner.

UNI

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