Minister Nkoana-Mashabane concludes  successful visit to India

Pretoria: International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has concluded her three day working visit to India today, Sunday, 15 November 2009.

On the last leg of the working visit, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane held several meetings with the business community in Mumbai as part of South Africa's efforts aimed at strengthening economic diplomacy.

Whilst in Mumbai, the Minister met with a large section of the business community, such as Mr. Gul Kripalani, IMC President, Mr. Ravi Ruia, Chairman of the Essar Group as well as Mr. Syamal Gupta, Special Advisor to the Tata Group.

During the working visit to India, the Minister paid a courtesy visit on Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian Congress Party, met various senior government Ministers including her counterpart SM Krishna as well as the Commerce Minister Anand Sharma.

Economic Diplomacy was key in this visit as indicated by the number of official engagements she held with the business community both in New Delhi as well as in Mumbai.

On the margins of the working visit, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also had an opportunity to address and interact with South African Regional Heads of Mission of the Middle East and Asia who were meeting in New Delhi.

Part of the highlights of the Ministerial visit to India were also aimed at laying the foundation for President jacob Zuma's State Visit to India in 2010 which will be preceded by a Joint Ministerial Commission between India and South Africa.

India, was the last leg in a tri-nation visit which saw the Minister participate in the China-Africa Frorum in Egypt, as well as a working visit to Sri Lanka.

For more information please speak to Mr. Saul Kgomotso Molobi, Chief Director - Public Diplomacy, on + 27 82  940 1647.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001

15 November 2009