Modi reaches South Africa in second leg of four nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached South African capital Pretoria last night in the second leg of his four African Nation tour. He was welcomed by Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations & Cooperation and Lindiwe Zulu, Minister for Small business. Mr. Modi will meet African President Jacob Zuma for bilateral talks after the welcome ceremony today. Both leaders, after signing of agreements and MoU’s will brief joint press conference. Mr Modi and Mr Zuma are also scheduled to address business leaders of both the countries. Mr. Modi will also meet top South African leaders today. In the evening Prime Minister will meet Deputy President of South Africa H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa. He will also visit Nalson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

Prime Minister is scheduled to address a grand gathering of Indian diaspora at Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg today. After the address, Prime Minister will leave for Durban and Pietermaritzburg, places related to Mahatma Gandhi. The visit is significant for economic ties, Technology transfer, enhanced international co-operation and to connect Indian diaspora in Indian



development. Agreements on civil aviation, technology sharing of coal gasification, deep mining and defence production are likely to be signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to South Africa. The talk on UN security council expansion is also high on agenda. Prime Minister Modi will address a gathering of Indian diaspora in Johannesburg in the evening. After the address Prime Minister will depart for Durban and visit Pietermaritzburg railway station and Phoenix farm which are historical places related to the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier, before concluding his one day trip to Mozambique, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that leaving Mozambique with great happiness over the ground covered in the visit to deepen the bond between India & Mozambique". Prime minister attended the Indian community reception in Maputo. He said it is always a delight to meet and interact with the Indian community and added Africa was the land which started shaping the identity of the Indian Diaspora. He also promised the local citizens that when he comes back next time, he would be spending more time with the community.