Indian PM Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed on the three-year strategic programme (2019-21) to boost cooperation in the field of defence, trade and investment, the blue economy, tourism, IT and agriculture.
PM Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.
Ramaphosa emphasised saying, his country was looking at a “result-oriented” partnership with India through the implementation of the three-year strategic exchange programme.
The South African, who arrived here on Friday morning, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade. It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa within a year.
The two leaders at the summit meeting recognized the importance of increased bilateral naval cooperation and closer synergy within the context of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which, by keeping the sea lanes secure against illegal actors, will ensure unhindered passage for trade and continued prosperity of the entire Indian Ocean Region.
Both the countries acknowledged the increasing engagement between the two navies in recent years which inter alia has translated to increased interactions in maritime operations and training. PM Modi welcomed the participation of the South African National Defence Force in the First Multinational India-Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) in March 2019 at Pune.
Ramaphosa agreed to simplify and reform the South Africa business visa regime. The two leaders jointly addressed the India-South Africa Business Forum on January 25, with a focus to grow business ties between the two countries. Ramaphosa also delivered the inaugural IBSA Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture.
