India and South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

India and South Africa announced Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Programme in four areas of bilateral cooperation. The MoUs are in the area of Information and Communication technology, Tourism, Grass root innovation and ‘art and culture’. The MoUs have been signed after a delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendara Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma in

Pretoria, South Africa.  This is Modi’s first official visit to mainland Africa and is also the first prime ministerial visit from India to South Africa since the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in 2013 for the G20 summit in Durban. During the meeting, both the leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues including reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The two countries have also agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism, regionally and globally. Modi arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa PM Modi said he looks forward to welcoming the South African President for BRICS Summit in Goa. Modi thanked the South African President for support to India’s NSG membership. Prime Minister also said his South Africa visit is an opportunity to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

South Africa

South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems.

Capitals: Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein

Currency: South African rand

President: Jacob Zuma

India and South Africa relations

The bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of South Africa have grown strong since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994.

There is a major resident Indian community in South Africa.

South African leader Nelson Mandela was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize and Bharat Ratna by the Indian government.

Both nations have also promoted sporting ties, with the Indian national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team frequently exchanging visits and participating in cricket tournaments hosted by either country.

On June 6, 2003 India and South Africa signed an agreement with Brazil, known as the Brasília Declaration, establishing “South-South” cooperation, based on the premise of the three nations being regional powers of South Asia, Southern Africa and South America.