| The heads of India and South Africa met in Pretoria | | | | processes [in the U.S. Congress]. The NSG has |
| just after the NAM summit. With very successful | | | | already discussed the matter, recently in Brazil, but |
| outcome in the NAM summit the two heads met in | | | | could not be resolved [as the American Congress |
| South Africa to expand its bilateral ties further. With | | | | was yet to finish its legislative process]. South Africa |
| a very successful visit of the Indian Prime Minister | | | | has absolutely no problem; we will surely support |
| the future of Indo-South African relationship looks | | | | India." South Africa is a key member of the 45 |
| very bright and one can hope that it would solidify | | | | member NSG nations. |
| further. | | | | The Tshwane (Pretoria) Declaration signed between |
| South Africa's Deputy President Phumzile | | | | the two heads of states mentions about a "forward |
| Mlambo-Ngcuka, who was in India recently said, " | | | | looking approach" which is of great satisfaction for |
| India was a key strategic partner of South Africa. | | | | India as it addresses the Indian viewpoint as it will |
| Both the countries political and economic relations are | | | | help India to enter into the NSG club without being |
| sound and is based on mutual respect and concerns | | | | accorded the Nuclear nation status. The declaration |
| for each other's development." It is on the basis of | | | | says, "The two leaders agreed that international |
| this outstanding wavelength the visit of the Prime | | | | civilian nuclear co-operation, under appropriate IAEA |
| Minister is taking place in that country. | | | | safeguards, among countries committed to nuclear |
| With sound economic and bilateral ties with South | | | | disarmament and non-proliferation objectives could be |
| Africa the future looks all the bright. The country has | | | | enhanced through acceptable forward-looking |
| a strong Indian connection. About one million of South | | | | approaches, consistent with their respective national |
| Africa's 47 million people are descendants of Indian | | | | and international obligation." |
| origin. India's leading enterprise groups such as Tata | | | | The declaration accepted,"the inalienable right of all |
| ,Reliance, Godrej and Mittal Steel are also investing | | | | States to the peaceful application of nuclear energy, |
| hugely in South Africa's automobile, mining, | | | | consistent with their international legal obligations." |
| telecommunication and other industries. "India is | | | | Which is again very significant as it accepts in a very |
| among the top 10 investing countries in South Africa, | | | | clear-cut way the Indian viewpoint that every nation |
| with investments estimated to the value of 10 billion | | | | has a right to use nuclear energy for peaceful means. |
| rand (1.4 billion U.S. dollars)," said Mlambo-Ngcuka. | | | | In exchange Dr Singh assured India's full support to |
| Annual trade between 2001 and 2005 for India and | | | | South Africa's claim in the UN Security Council. He |
| South Africa climbed 133 percent from 1.3 billion to 3.1 | | | | said, " South Africa was eminently entitled to that |
| billion dollars. The negotiations are on to aim at raising | | | | seat." |
| the bilateral trade flows to 5 billion dollars by next | | | | With a clear cut understanding on various issues |
| year. | | | | including the nuclear issue Geo-Political contours of |
| According to Mbeki, President of South Africa who | | | | Africa- Asian regions will see in significant changes in |
| said in the IBSA Conference "the adoption of a free | | | | future. Solid bonding between the two nations on |
| trade agreement between these three nations would | | | | such vital areas will not only help in peace and |
| be an unprecedented step in the world trade system, | | | | prosperity of the whole region but would also help in |
| which means it is essential for it to be taken in an | | | | a strategic balancing act in terms of a "Nuclear |
| appropriate manner". The South African President | | | | Deterrent" for the whole region. |
| gave a firm commitment to India on the issue of | | | | By Giving the Preferential Trade status to India and |
| Civilian Nuclear Deal with USA. This was a very | | | | viz Versa is a right step, as this will enhance our |
| historic achievement. | | | | bilateral trade further. Both the countries agreed to |
| The country committed itself to supporting India in | | | | work jointly on the issue of Farm subsidies in the |
| seeking access to the advanced civilian nuclear | | | | WTO. With South Africa being the largest trading |
| technology from the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) | | | | partner of India in Africa things look bright in future. |
| once the New Delhi-Washington civilian nuclear | | | | With such improved multi-faceted ties between the |
| cooperation agreement of July 2005 clears the United | | | | two nations one can see not only the emergence of |
| States congressional hurdle. South African President | | | | a strong bloc within the G8, G22 and so on but can |
| Thabo Mbeki in a press conference gave this historic | | | | expect heavy fireworks in the Future WTO rounds |
| assurance. He said: "We are awaiting the outcome of | | | | beneficial for the third world. |