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Joint Press Statement on the State Visit
of H.E. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India to
South Africa from 14 to 18 September 2004
1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic
of South Africa H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, the President
of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
is paying a State visit to the Republic of South Africa
from 14 to 18 September 2004.
2. H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam was warmly received by the
South African leadership and people on this first ever
visit by an Indian President to South Africa. The visit
was described as historic and a reaffirmation of the
time-tested relations between the two countries and
their peoples.
3. The Presidents of the Republic of South Africa and
the Republic of India held extensive talks in an atmosphere
of friendship and mutual understanding that traditionally
characterise the Indo-South African relationship. New
ways of enhancing the strategic partnership between
the two countries based on shared democratic values
were also explored.
4. The two Sides agreed that the State visit of H.E
Dr. Abdul Kalam to South Africa will undoubtedly further
consolidate and expand bilateral co-operation in all
fields. They agreed on the importance of increasing
the frequency of bilateral visits at all levels including
by dignitaries, ministers, officials, experts as well
as people-to-people contacts.
5. The two Sides also noted the importance of Inter-Parliamentary
co-operation and called for the intensification of interaction
of bilateral parliamentary exchanges.
6. The two Sides, after taking into account the untapped
potential for bilateral co-operation in certain areas,
reiterated the need to expand bilateral trade, economic,
scientific and technical co-operation. They also noted
that the business and scientific circles of both countries
should establish direct contacts for the implementation
of industrial, scientific and technical projects. With
a view to implement cooperation, the South Africa-India
Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communications
Technologies will be signed on 15 September 2004.
7. In this context, the importance of the Joint Ministerial
Commission, the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance,
the India-South Africa Joint Committee for Scientific
and Technological Co-operation and the India-South Africa
Joint Committee on Defence Co-operation for the development
of bilateral ties was reiterated and it was noted with
satisfaction that regular meetings were taking place.
8. The two Sides emphasised the significance of strengthening
people-to-people contacts. In view of the tremendous
contribution that exchanges in the fields of culture,
education and tourism can make towards this end; they
welcomed the progress in the implementation of the Cultural
Exchanges Programme and in mutual promotion of tourism.
9. Views were exchanged on India's vision of evolving
into a developed country by 2020 and South Africa's
plans for development. Both commended the on-going efforts
to realise those lofty goals and the need to share experiences
and insights bilaterally.
10. It was agreed that the tripartite IBSA Dialogue
Forum, comprising India, Brazil and South Africa, should
focus on speedy implementation of the specific projects
and ideas contained in the Plan of Action drawn up at
the last IBSA Ministerial Joint Commission, held in
New Delhi in March 2004 so that the people of the three
countries could benefit in a concrete manner from the
utilisation of the potential synergies among the members.
11. The two Sides held detailed discussions on regional
and international issues of mutual interest, which revealed
a close convergence of viewpoints. Both countries agree
on the need to reform the United Nations to make it
more effective and truly representative of the contemporary
international community. They called for an equitable
balance in an expanded Security Council to provide a
decisive voice to developing countries so that it becomes
more representative and responsive to their needs and
aspirations. India and South Africa share the belief
that the emerging world order should be just, equitable,
multi-polar and based on the principles of democracy,
sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference
in the internal affairs of states, peaceful settlement
of disputes and principles of the United Nations. The
two Sides noted the need to continue a high level of
interaction and co-operation between South Africa and
India at the UN and in other multilateral fora.
12. Furthermore, the need to uphold the principles
of International Law, and the provisions of the UN Charter
in regard to international relations was reaffirmed.
The need to strengthen the role of the UN in the fight
against international terrorism, cross-border criminal
activity, illegal traffic of narcotics and in resolving
other pressing problems of the contemporary world was
also stressed.
13. The two Sides condemned the growth of terrorism
and religious extremism, which threatens international
peace and security. They agreed that every State has
the duty to refrain from organising, instigating, assisting
or participating in terrorist acts in another State
or acquiescing into organised activities within its
territory directed towards the commission of such acts,
and further agreed that all States must refrain from
providing any form of support, active or passive, to
entities or persons involved in terrorist acts. In this
regard, both Sides stressed the importance of the effective
implementation of Security Council Resolution 1373.
14. The two Sides reaffirmed their faith in the Non-aligned
Movement and stressed the importance of its revitalisation
to address global issues multilaterally such as poverty
alleviation, sustainable development, food security,
as well as issues of international peace and security.
The two Sides noted with satisfaction the progress achieved
at the WTO General Council Meeting in Geneva to remove
Blockages to the Doha Development Agenda. They commended
the increased solidarity among developing countries
at the WTO. They also hailed the successful outcome
of the XIVth NAM Ministerial Conference, held in Durban
in August 2004. The two Sides reiterated their concern
at the growing resort to unilateralism and unilaterally
imposed methods and reaffirmed the Movement's commitment
to advancing multilateralism as stated in the Durban
Declaration on Multilateralism.
15. The Indian Side highly appreciated the constructive
policy of the Republic of South Africa as a factor of
peace and stability in Africa and its efforts to promote
multi-faceted regional co- operation, including through
NEPAD, to ensure security and prosperity in the region.
The two Sides expressed satisfaction over the positive
developments in the continent represented by the establishment
of the African Union, with NEPAD as its socio-economic
arm. The South African side expressed its appreciation
of India's commitment to work closely with Africa in
the context of NEPAD, pursuant to the traditional ties
of co-operation and solidarity that have always characterised
India-Africa relations.
16. The two Sides reaffirmed their support for the
Asian-African Sub-Regional Organisations Conference
(AASROC) process aimed at forging a New Strategic Partnership
between Africa and Asia, incorporating existing initiatives,
exchanges of experience and best practices among the
countries and sub-regional and regional organisations
of Africa and Asia. Both countries expressed their resolve
to ensure that this partnership will seek to translate
ideas into reality and guide Asia and Africa toward
a better future based on their collective self-reliance.
Discussions in this regard centred around the existing
involvement by India in Africa, including the India
Africa Fund and the need to streamline and align these
initiatives for coherence and maximum benefit with similar
initiatives.
17. On the situation in the Middle East, the two Sides
called for an early establishment of a Palestinian State
in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions
so as to end the Israeli occupation.
18. The President of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr.
Abdul Kalam extended an invitation to the President
of the Republic of South Africa H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki
to pay a State visit to the Republic of India. The invitation
was accepted with pleasure. The dates for the visit
will be finalised through diplomatic channels.
19. The President of the Republic of India H.E. Dr
Abdul Kalam expressed sincere gratitude to the President
of the Republic of South Africa for the hospitality
afforded the Indian delegation in South Africa.
Issued by:
The Presidency
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High Commission of India
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15 September 2004
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo 083 256 9133 or 021 464 2158
Brenda Nkosi
The Presidency
Communications: Media Liaison
Tel. 012 300 5451
Fax. 012 323 6080
Cell. 082 770 2369
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