Vice President Ansari to attend South African Prez Zuma's inauguration

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): Vice President Hamid Ansari will represent India at the inauguration ceremony of new South African President Jacob Zuma on May 9, reflecting the importance New Delhi attaches to its ties with South Africa.

Ansari will pay a three-day visit to South Africa from Friday to attend the inauguration of Zuma, whose African National Congress (ANC) swept the general elections in the country held on April 22.

The Vice President will be accompanied by wife Salma Ansari and Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Nalin Surie and some other high-level officials during the visit.

"The visit underlines historic bond between the two countries and India's determination to add depth to the relations," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.

During the visit, Ansari is expected to meet some world leaders who would also assemble in Pretoria to attend the inauguration of Zuma. (ANI)