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![Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with South African President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings, Pretoria on 8 July 2016 [Image: South African Presidency]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Cm1AfFSXYAAwdN8-e1467965725380.jpg)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with South African President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings, Pretoria on 8 July 2016 [Image: South African Presidency]
Modi and Zuma are meeting amid slowing economic growth and global challenges including a fraying European Union and a spiralling of terror-related attacks across the globe.
On Friday, Modi and Zuma led delegation-level talks. Among those present were Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and South African Minister of State Security David Mahlobo.
The two countries on Friday inked several memorandums of understanding including innovation, tourism, technology, arts and culture.
“Our relationship is a story of resolve, determination, justice and excellence of human endeavour,” Modi told reporters after officials talks.
The South African Trade Ministry is also hosting the South Africa-India business and CEOs’ forums during which Zuma and Modi will address business leaders together.
Modi is aiming to increase economic engagement with the African continent and BRICS member South Africa has positioned itself as a gateway to the continent.
India is South Africa’s sixth largest trade partner.
Bilateral trade in 2015 amounted to about R95 billion. Official trade data shows India’s exports to South Africa increased from Rand 29 billion in 2011 to Rand 54 billion in 2015. South African companies have also grown their investments in India with a total of 24 projects
South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said a key objective during Modi’s visit would be “to enhance commercial and business relations with India and to promote private sector to private sector contact”.
“South Africa will also be exploring ways in which to increase and diversify our exports to India by identifying new areas of market access in areas including the defence sector, deep mining, renewable energy and the health sector,” she wrote in an oped in South African daily, New Age.
Ahead of Modi’s visit, Trade Minister Rob Davies also asserted that “efforts are underway to promote exports of value added products” to India.
Zuma on Friday referred to the common historical struggle against apartheid and colonial rule.
India and South Africa must also step up security cooperation, the Indian Prime Minister said on Friday.
“Beyond economic ties and links of businesses, trade and investment, we can also partner in the field of defence and security,” Modi added.
South Africa and India, alongwith other BRICS partners, play a crucial role in global politics. BRICS have taken similar stands on Syria, vociferously opposing the demands by Western capitals to oust Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
On Friday, the two BRICS leaders also discussed global problems that span instability in the Middle East and terrorism.
“Terrorism is a shared threat; the South African President and I agreed that we must be vigilant and cooperate to combat terrorism, regionally and globally,” Modi said after talks with Zuma.
The two countries are crucial voices of the global south, Zuma asserted in Pretoria.
Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora in Johannesburg on 8 July.
Modi has already visited Mozambique this week and will also travel to Tanzania and Kenya.
Zuma will visit India in October this year alongwith other BRICS leaders for the 8th BRICS Summit.
TBP
