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7 April 2008

New Delhi – South African President Thabo Mbeki today Monday, 7 April 2008 arrived in New Delhi, India ahead of the inaugural Africa-India Partnership Summit scheduled from Tuesday to Wednesday, 8 to 9 April 2008.

President Mbeki's delegation includes Mrs Zanele Mbeki, Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, South Africa's High Commissioner to India Francis Moloi as well as South Africa's Ambassador to Ethiopia Chris Pepani.

President Thabo Mbeki and his senior government delegation will participate in the Africa-India Partnership Summit within the context of strengthening Africa-India relations in particular, Africa-Asia relations in general and to consolidate South-South co-operation.

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa today Monday, 7 April 2008 participated in the ministerial meeting of the inaugural Africa-India Partnership Summit.

President Thabo Mbeki will on Tuesday, 8 April 2008 join the Heads of State and Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tanzania and Nigeria and Chair of the African Union Commission Alpha Konare who will alongside Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh participate in the opening plenary of the Africa-India Partnership Summit.

The summit will consider the modalities to strengthen the cooperation ties between Africa and India in respect of economic; political; science, technology, research and development; social development and capacity building; tourism; infrastructure, energy and environment; and media and communication.

In addition, this summit provides for the first time, an opportunity for Africa, under the leadership of Africa and India to collectively evolve a comprehensive roadmap for the multifaceted expansion and deepening of a mutually beneficial partnership.

Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
7 April 2008