India’s Modi in South Africa for trade, remembering Gandhi

After addressing the Indian community members, he visited the Centre For Innovation & Technological Development before leaving for Pretoria, South Africa for the second leg of his tour.

Talking at the Joint press meet, the PM said, “Mozambique has already been one of the gateways for Indian investments into Africa”.

Prime Minister Modi will also visit the Maluana Science and Technology Park and the Centre for Innovation and Technological Development (CITD), where he will interact with students.

The visits aim to bolster and sustain ties between India and energy- and resource-rich Africa given that the next India-Africa Summit will be held in 2020.

Modi’s Africa tour will focus on hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food, according to Indian officials.

During his stay in South Africa, PM Modi will honour the 20 years that Mahatma Gandhi spent in the country as a lawyer and activist campaigning for the rights of Indian people.

Ahead of his arrival here, the prime minister had said that South Africa “is an important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted”.

Modi said the relationship between the two countries is not new as thousands of Indian-origin people call Mozambique their home.

“Our partnership is also driven by a convergence of capacities and interests”.

Both leaders agreed that there was considerable potential for Mozambique and India to learn from each other’s democratic experience.

A long-term agreement to import pulses from Mozambique is expected to be signed on Thursday. Indian in Africa contribute to India’s status worldwide, he added.

South Africa remains undecided as to whether to support India’s bid, but has expressed concerns about the setting of a precedent if the group includes non-signatories of the NPT. “By building capacities and institutions, training of personnel, supply of equipment, and in responding to their other emerging needs”, he said.

Of course, in what has now become a hallmark of his visits, the prime minister will also meet the Indian community in the country as well.

Modi also visited the Mozambique National Assembly and met its President Veronica Macamo.