Press Briefings
Briefing by Official Spokesperson on Hon’ble Vice President’s forthcoming visit to South Africa
06/05/2009
Official Spokesperson (Shri Vishnu Prakash): Good evening. Welcome to the Media Hall.
First of all, let me introduce my colleague who is here, Joint Secretary P. Harish. He is with the Office of the Vice-President. I would brief you about the visit of Vice-President to South Africa.
Vice-President leaves on the 8th of May to attend the formal inauguration of His Excellency President Jacob Zuma who is the fourth elected President of South Africa. Vice-President would be accompanied by his spouse and also a number of senior officials including Secretary (West) Mr. Nalin Surie; Secretary to Vice-President Mr. Sheriff; and a number of other officials.
You are aware of the historical and multi-faceted ties between India and South Africa. I would particularly like to note that there is a large presence of people of Indian origin in South Africa currently estimated at 1.5 million, which is close to 2.5 per cent of the South African population.
Talking history for a moment, you are all aware that India had been at the forefront of the international community’s efforts in supporting the struggle against apartheid. We were the first foreign country to impose an embargo, complete embargo, in 1946 against the then regime. I would like to recall that the African National Congress set up a Rep Office in New Delhi as early as in the 1960s.
Soon after the talks opened between ANC and the then Government of South Africa, in May 1993, the Indian Cultural Centre was set up at Johannesburg. In November 1993, full diplomatic and consular relations were restored between India and South Africa.
Relations have since gone from strength to strength. In 1997, a strategic partnership was initiated between India and South Africa which covers a whole gamut of areas. Some of these areas - I would touch upon them now or I could cover them in questions later - include trade and investments, culture, health, human resource development, tourism, science and technology, sports. While talking sports, let us not forget cricket. I think this is a shared love between India and South Africa.
I am happy to note that India and South Africa enjoy common or similar perceptions on a number of major issues, international issues of interest to both our countries. South Africa, along with India and Brazil, is a member of IBSA. You would recall that the Third IBSA Summit was held in New Delhi in October last year when the then South African President had paid a visit.
South Africa is one of our largest trading partners in the African continent. In the Financial Year 2007-08 our trade had already crossed 6.25 billion dollars. While the figures are awaited, I understand that in the Financial Year 2008-09 the trade has gone up a further ten per cent. So, we are looking at something like seven billion dollars. India is also a significant investor in South Africa. South African companies are also present in India and investing. A number of Indian banks are present and operating in South Africa.
In broad terms this is the nature of cooperation that we have with South Africa which is multi-faceted. Both countries are constantly looking at opportunities of deepening this engagement which is a mutually beneficial engagement. The visit of Hon’ble Vice-President at this important occasion underlines the historic bonds and abiding friendship between our two countries as well as a common determination to add more content and depth to our strategic partnership.
I would walk you through very briefly the programme of the Vice-President. He leaves for Johannesburg on the 8th forenoon. In the evening, they are in Johannesburg. Next day, he leaves for Pretoria to participate in the formal inauguration ceremony. A number of Heads of State and Government are also coming to attend the inauguration. We are awaiting details. We have some details, more are coming in. There will be an informal interaction between the visiting Heads of State and Government. On Sunday the May 10th, the Vice-President leaves for New Delhi. Late in the night on the 10th, he is back in New Delhi. That in a nutshell is the programme.
If there are any questions on the visit, I would be happy to try and address them.
Question: Will there be any bilateral meetings other than the general programme?
Official Spokesperson: There will be a number of informal interactions. The programme will come to you as it is being finalized. As you can see, the window that is available is rather small. As we see it, there will be a number of informal interactions, pull-asides, meetings and so on. That is how it is being conceived at the moment. But, let us see. The programme is evolving. We will see how it plays out.
Question: Will the Vice-President be calling on the South African President?
Official Spokesperson: Let us see how it plays out. The programme is evolving. We see a number of informal interactions in particular happening. But the programme is evolving.