India, South Africa restore diplomatic relations

1993 - India and South Africa restored diplomatic ties after a 39-year freeze over South Africa’s apartheid policies and promptly agreed to look at a plan for an economic pact between Indian Ocean states. South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha (above left) said he had discussed the proposal with both India and Pakistan during his current tour of the two South Asian nations. “An Indian Ocean cooperation ... has evoked interest in India and Pakistan,” Botha said.