Joint Press Statement by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and India, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Shri Yaswant Sinha on the Conclusion of the 5th Session of the South Africa-India Joint Ministerial Commission, Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria Friday, 4th July 2003

1. In pursuance of the Agreement establishing the Joint Ministerial Commission, which was signed in January 1995 during the visit to India by President Nelson Mandela, the Foreign Minister of South Africa, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Shri Yashwant Sinha, co-chaired the fifth South Africa-India Joint Ministerial Commission in Pretoria on 3-4 July 2003.

2. The two Ministers recalled that the close friendship between the two countries had been forged in the crucible of the common struggle against colonialism, racism and apartheid. Reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, they expressed satisfaction that co-operation has been enhanced in a wide range of fields including those of a political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological nature. The strategic partnership which the two countries agreed to establish during President Mbeki's visit to India in 1996 has gradually taken shape, with many major bilateral agreements already signed and a number in the course of negotiation, including a bilateral Investment Protection Agreement and a Preferential Trade Agreement.

3. The Ministers noted the substantial progress that has taken place in the commercial and economic field, with bilateral trade in 2002 having increased by 29 percent from the previous year. The two Ministers emphasised the need for increasing mutual investments and agreed that there is still substantial potential for capitalising on individual strengths such as South Africa's mining prowess and India's strengths in the field of Information and Communications Technology and pharmaceuticals.

4. The Minister of External Affairs of India expressed appreciation for the initiatives taken by South Africa in promoting development, peace and security in the African region. He reiterated India's deep commitment to the African Renaissance and informed the Foreign Minister of South Africa of the many concrete steps that India has taken in order to engage with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Ministers noted that the High Commission of India in Pretoria and the NEPAD Secretariat would provide feedback to the Joint Ministerial Commission on an annual basis as to further developments in this regard.

5. Referring to the recently-constituted tripartite Dialogue Forum encompassing India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), the Ministers emphasised that this historic initiative aims to give new direction and dynamism to south-south relations; that its objective is to explore the potential synergy among like-minded countries from three continents, representing large vibrant democracies with strong economies and rich human resources.

6. The 5th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission also provided the opportunity for a very useful exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the forthcoming World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference at Cancun, the Middle East Peace Process, challenges facing the United Nations, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

7. The two Foreign Ministers expressed their commitment and determination to continue to work toward the further strengthening and consolidation of bilateral co-operation between the two countries. They expressed confidence that the visit of President Mbeki to India, scheduled for October 2003, will provide further impetus to the close and friendly relations between South Africa and India. Furthermore, the Ministers directed that all the Sub-Committees of the Joint Ministerial Commission and all other Working Groups should make concerted efforts to pursue vigorously all pending agreements and projects with a view to their conclusion during the forthcoming State Visit.