Big boost to India, S Africa ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday agreed to strengthen ties between the two nations, as the two governments inked a three-year “Strategic Programme of Cooperation”.

“Cooperation in areas such as agriculture, food processing, skill development, Information Technology, gems and jewellery augurs well for the partnership between India and South Africa,” the Prime Minister said after his meeting with South African President.

Ramaphosa arrived in New Delhi early on Friday for his maiden visit to India after taking over as President of South Africa on February 15 last year. He will join President Ram Nath Kovind as the Chief Guest in the Republic Day ceremony. This is the second time a South African President is going to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day ceremony of India. Nelson Mandela, the legendary icon of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, had visited New Delhi in 1995 and attended the ceremony as Chief Guest.

The Prime Minister and South African President said that the two sides had further agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Higher Education.