S African Army Chief on weeklong visit to India

New Delhi, Sep 10 (UNI) Seeking to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation, Lieutenant General Solly Zacharia Shoke, Chief of the South African Army, today began a weeklong official visit to India.

Lt Gen Shoke and his three-member delegation will be visiting the Northern and Eastern Commands of the Indian Army and its various training establishments. The delegation will also be interacting with Defence Secretary Vijay Singh and Army Chief General JJ Singh -- who is also currently Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee -- besides various other dignitaries.

According to an official spokesperson here, discussions on enhancing defence cooperation in the fields of training/courses, UN Peace Keeping, mountain warfare, sports and adventure activities and defence industry cooperation were likely to be held during the South African Army Chief's visit.

Lt Gen Shoke was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the South Block lawns on his arrival at the Army Headquarters. Earlier, he was received by Gen Singh at the India Gate where the visiting dignitary laid a wreath at the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti'.

Defence cooperation between Indian and South Africa got a boost after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in 2000. Subsequently, cooperation between the two Armies has witnessed increased attendance on courses, exchange of observers in exercises and visits besides equipment sales.

The inaugural meeting of the Indo-South African Defence Committee was held in Pretoria in August 1998 which chartered the future course of military cooperation between the two countries.

UNI