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President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki arrived back in South Africa, Today, Sunday, 19 October, following a successful three-day State Visit to India, which covered three of India's major centres - New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

President Mbeki's delegation included Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; Dr Penuel Maduna; Dr Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi; Dr Manto Tshabalala Msimang; Dr Essop Pahad; Jeff Radebe; Valli Moosa; Thoko Didiza; Dr Ben Ngubane; Alec Erwin and Mosiuoa Lekota; and senior government officials including Directors-General Rev Frank Chikane; Prof Itumeleng Mosala; Acting Director-General of Health Dr Kamy Chetty; Titus Mafolo Political Advisor to the President and Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anil Sooklal

President Mbeki and Government Ministers held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Ministers with a view to consolidating the strategic political and economic relations between India and South Africa.

Pursuant thereof, the two countries agreed to a structured interaction to identify and implement programmes in specifically identified areas, including tourism and eco-tourism; the financial sector; biotechnology; energy and natural gas; health and pharmaceuticals; rural development and empowerment of women; film-making, arts and entertainment as well as ICT. In this regard a structure similar to the India-USA or India-UK Business Council was mooted.

During the visit, President Mbeki visited several Indian centres of excellence including Bharat Biotechnology; Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology; ICICI Knowledge Park; the International of Information Technology, which carry great prospects of changing the quality of life for the Indian people.

The visit to these centres was characterised by an expressed and shared desire by the Indians and South Africans for a strategic partnership aimed at pushing back the frontiers of poverty and under-development in both countries, with a particular focus in the fields of medicine; health and information communication technology.

In this regard, both India and South Africa decided to share their expertise and resources in knowledge -based industries with a view to leapfrogging into the mainstream of the global economy.

President Mbeki also oversaw the signing of a number of bilateral agreements that are of immense benefit and seek to consolidate the strategic relationship between the two countries.

These included:

* Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between India and South Africa
* Programme of Cultural Co-operation from 2004-2006
* Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
* Agreement on Electricity and Power
* Extradition Treaty
* Agreement on co-operation in the filed of Hydro-carbon

In addition both the South African corporate and parastatal sector benefited immeasurably from the strategic political and economic relations cemented by the two governments.

In this context, Mvelaphanda Resources, IDC and VideoVision (Messrs Tokyo Sexwale, Khaya Ngqula and Anant Singh) signed Memoranda of Understanding on biotechnology, fertilisers and a global film deal respectively; while their other colleagues in the private sector held fruitful discussions with their Indian counterparts on possible joint venture business partnerships.

In further interactions between the President, Ministers and the Indian Corporate Sector, President Mbeki stressed the need for the South African public and private sectors to take advantage of the enormous goodwill towards our country by the Indians to engage in practical actions that will be of benefit to both our peoples.

President Mbeki reiterated the view that the Trilateral Forum between India-Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) should give real content, meaning and detail to the strategic relationship between the three countries with the objective of enhancing South-South relations and the creation of a better life for all its peoples.

President Mbeki also addressed the Alfred Nzo Memorial Lecture with the objective of consolidating ties and bonds of friendship built during the struggle against apartheid. During this session, South Africa also released a book: Dhanyavaad India, as a sign of gratitude for the sacrifices the Indian people made in helping to bring about the dawn of peace, freedom and democracy in South Africa.

The President, the government and private sector delegation concluded their visit with an attendance of a musical concert marking the tenth anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Africa and India, featuring Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Vusi Mahlasela and
Indian artists.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 27-82-990-4853
C/O South African High Commission, New Delhi, India, 19 October 2003.

Source: SAPA