PM leaves for South Africa on four-day visit

New Delhi, Sep 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left on a four-day official visit to South Africa this morning to participate in the centenary celebrations of the satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi in the country.

''The philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi of resisting injustice and oppression by pursuing the path of truth and non-violence was born in South Africa and is a powerful legacy that is shared by the people of India and South Africa,'' Dr Singh said in his departure statement.

The Prime Minister, who is visiting Durban, Johannesburg and capital Pretoria, said it was an opportunity to review bilateral relations and the India-South Africa Partnership with President Thabo Mbeki.

''I hope to discuss with President Mbeki measures that both countries can take to further deepen our partnership,'' he said.

Dr Singh said he also hope to meet former South African president Nelson Mandela, whose life and work bear Gandhiji's deep influence.

South Africa, he said, was India's biggest trading partner in the African continent and many Indian companies are expanding their business presence there. ''Similarly, I think that there is much that South Africa can offer India. I hope we will be able to identify steps to enhance our current commercial and economic relationship.'' Dr Singh will also discuss current international issues with the South African President. ''Our two countries share a common vision of a cooperative, rule-based multi-polar world order,'' he said.

He said South Africa and India have a major role to play in carrying forward the agenda for UN reforms, including expansion of permanent membership of the UN Security Council so that the ''interests of the developing world are better reflected and realized in this organisation''.

India, South Africa and Brazil are jointly campaigning among the world community for their inclusion on the UN high table.

Dr Singh will visit the milestones in Mahatma Gandhi's life like the Pietermaritzburg station where he was thrown out of an all-white train compartment, Pheonix Settlement and the Constitution Hill Prison where he was incarcerated.

He will also visit visit the Umbilo Park Memorial where several years later brave South Africans opposed the injustice of the aparthied regime.

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