SA international relations deputy minister Mhaule wraps up India visit

SA International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule is on a five-day official visit to India, which ends on Thursday.

During the visit, which began on Sunday, Mhauli spoke at the Foreign Secretary’s Dinner event at the Raisina Dialogue, in Delhi.

The Raisina Dialogue – India’s annual flagship conference of geopolitics and geo-economics that attracts high-level participants from all over the world.- which is taking place in New Delhi started on Tuesday and ends on Thursday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the international relations and cooperation ministry said the theme for the 2019 edition of the Conference was: “A World Reorder: New Geometries, Fluid Partnerships, Uncertain Outcomes”.

“The African Continent will receive significant focus during the conference and Mhaule will use the platform of the Conference to highlight key issues at the heart of South Africa’s foreign policy including advancing the African Agenda, regional integration and conflict prevention and peace-building,” said the statement.

“During the visit, Deputy Minister Mhaule will also have an opportunity to engage with her Indian counterpart, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, General Dr VK Singh.

“The meeting will focus on issues of mutual interest such as further enhancing the trade and commercial relationship between South Africa and India, growing foreign direct investment and partnering in areas beneficial for both countries, such as skills exchange.

“‘Also in the international arena, the two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora, such as BRICS, IBSA, G20 and IORA.”

The ministry said Mhaule will also have high-level meetings with business sector representatives and Think Tanks in Mumbai to promote South Africa as a destination for trade, investment and tourism and to advance our foreign policy objectives.

South Africa and India enjoy a strategic partnership and bilateral relations are anchored by a deep and shared history of friendship and solidarity.

During 2018, the two countries celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations and the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the BRICS Summit in July 2018 served to further emphasise the important nature of the relationship in enhancing the national objectives of both countries.

– African News Agency (ANA)

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