MODI THANKS SOUTH AFRICA FOR SUPPORTING INDIA’S NSG BID
PRETORIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked South African President Jacob Zuma for extending support to India’s bid for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
“I thanked the President for South Africa’s support to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, we know that we can count on the active support of our friends, like South Africa,” the PM said and added that the visit to South Africa gave him an opportunity to pay homage to the two great souls, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
During his meeting with Zuma, Modi laid emphasis on forging greater industry-to-industry ties between India and South Africa for greater economic gains.
“I am convinced that industry-to-industry ties not only can bring rich economic gains to our societies, they can give a new shape to our partnership, and drive it to new levels. And in the process, also help both our nations to play a more robust regional and global role,” Modi said in a joint press statement with Zuma following delegation-level talks between the two sides.
Modi said that in the last two decades, the relationship between the two countries has been a story of strong advances and concrete achievements.
“Two-way trade has grown by over 300% in the last 10 years. Indian companies hold strong business interests in South Africa,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that one-fourth of India’s investments in Africa were in South Africa.
“There is potential to expand our business and investment ties further, especially in the areas of mineral and mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, high tech- nology manufacturing and information and communication technology,” he said.
Modi said that given the nature of the two countries’ developing economies both should also focus on improving human capital.
Apart from strengthening economic ties, Modi said the visit has given him an opportunity to pay homage to the two great souls, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.The Prime Minister was of the view that companies from both countries could also pool their capacities to jointly develop or manufacture defence equipment and platforms.