Cong-ANC sign MoU to strengthen party-to-party relations

New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) The Indian National Congress (INC) and the African National Congress (ANC) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)-- perhaps the world's first such agreement between two parties-- to facilitate regular party-to-party exchanges between the youth, women and trade unions.

The MoU was signed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and the visiting ANC president Jacob G Zuma during a one-and-a-half hour meeting here.

''It is possible that such MoUs will be signed with other parties of the world in the future,'' senior Congress leader Karan Singh told reporters.

He said the ANC was far ahead of the Congress in giving 50 per cent reservation to women in the party.

''While we are still struggling with the Women's Reservation Bill,'' he said, but hastened to add that the ANC had not given reservation to women in parliament.

Dr Singh said India already had government-to-government contact with Africa, and the party-to-party contact will further strengthen the texure of the relationship based on shared colonial experiences and a united struggle against aparthied.

Besides, Gandhiji Satyagraha launched from South Africa created a special and enduring bond between the two countries, he said.

According to the MoU, the INC will receive the first delegation of ANC Youth League and Women League later this year.

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