On 25th January 2019, for the first time, South African President Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa visited India for 2 days along with his wife Tshepo Motsepe, 09 cabinet ministers, senior officials and a large business delegation.He received Guard of honour.
Key Points
- India’s President Shri Ram Nath Kovind received the South African President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and also hosted a banquet in his honour.
- The Visit of south African President comes at a special time when India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and south Africa is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela.
India, South Africa seal three-year strategic programme to boost defence partnership
On 25th January 2019, after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, India and South African sealed 3 year strategic partnership for 2019 to 2021 to boost cooperation in the various key areas including defence and investments.
Key Points
- The three year strategic partnership will cover cooperation in the field of trade and investment, Defence and security, the blue economy, tourism, IT and agriculture.
- India and South Africa recognized the importance of increased bilateral naval cooperation and closer synergy in the context of IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) which is formed to ensure unhindered passage for trade and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region.0
- The participation of South African National Defence Force in the first Multinational India-Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) which will be held at Pune, Maharashtra in March, 2019 was welcomed by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
India-South Africa Business Forum held in New Delhi
On 25th January 2019, India-South Africa Business Forum was organized jointly by Indian Industry Chambers CII, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) and Assocham (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India) in New Delhi.
Key Points
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the India had risen to the 77th Place in the World bank’s ease of doing Business ranking and on the way to become the fifth largest economy of the world.
- Narendra Modi also said that India has become one of the most attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) according to a report by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).
- South African President agreed to simplify and reform the south African visa regime.
- The Bilateral trade between India and South Africa has crossed $10 billion mark in 2017-2018 and there is a good scope for increasing bilateral trade in the gems and jewellery sector.
Cyril Ramaphosa addressed First IBSA Gandhi-Mandela Memorial Freedom Lecture in New Delhi
On 25th January 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the first IBSA (india, Brazil, South Africa) Gandhi-Mandela Memorial Freedom Lecture in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Key Points
- South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said that India and South Africa can work together to eliminate poverty and discrimination on the basis of caste, race and religion.
- Cyril Ramaphosa also remembered the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter Ela Gandhi who played a leading role in the women’s movement in South Africa.
Cyril Ramaphosa was the Chief Guest of the Republic Day Parade
The President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa was the Chief Guest of 70th Republic Day celebrations of India.
He was presented with a scroll bearing gandhian views on social sins by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
House and Urban Affairs Minister, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri presented Cyril Ramaphosa with a scroll bearing Gandhian views on the social sins.
Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi meet South African president
Former Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan Singh and Congress President, Rahul Gandhi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in New Delhi to discuss the mutual interests.
About South Africa
♦ Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (Judicial), Cape town (legislative)
♦ President: Cyril Ramaphosa
♦ Currency: South African rand