India’s Modi meets South Africa’s Zuma for trade talks

India and South Africa have been campaigning for reform of the UN Security Council.

He is the first Indian head of government to visit Mozambique after 34 years.

He said his country was keen to strengthen trade with India.

India and Mozambique on Thursday agreed to fast-track agricultural cooperation after delegation-level discussions headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo.

“To date, India is South Africa’s largest trade partner with trade in 2015 being at nearly 95 billion rand (about $6.5 billion)”.

Indian PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet the South African president Jacob Zuma today with the aim of boosting India’s worldwide ties.

India’s economic footprint in Africa is dwarfed by that of China, whose trade with the continent topped $200 billion past year. “PM @narendramodi arrives in Pretoria for the second leg of his Africa tour”, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted on Modi’s arrival in Pretorio.

“And what Mozambique requires is available in India”, he said.

The two sides earlier signed three agreements, including a long-term one on purchase of pulses from Mozambique for India.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – The leaders of India and South Africa paid tribute Friday to what South African President Jacob Zuma called “two liberation icons, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi”, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought closer ties in defense and security during a four-nation African tour.

Noting that India and Mozambique are connected by the Indian Ocean, the Prime Minister talked about t he “emerging security challenges”, including those in the maritime areas, and said the two countries will step up security and defence cooperation.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Veronica Mamoco, President of Mozambique’s National Assembly.

The India-Kenya Business Forum meeting is also on his agenda.

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.