Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to attend the Second Africa-India Forum Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Pretoria – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will lead the South African delegation to the 2nd Africa-India Forum Summit (AIFS-II) scheduled to take place on 20-25 May 2011, at the African Union’s headquarter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The first Africa-India Summit, held in India, New Delhi in 2008, initiated progressive levels of cooperation mainly in areas of capacity building, supporting the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, and opening markets for trade – as documented in 2008 Summit’s Framework of Cooperation, Summit Declaration, and its implementation Plan of Action.  The second Summit’s main objective is to evaluate the progress of this partnership to date, further deepen relations, and reaffirm the commitment to promoting cooperation in priority areas.

The Republic of South Africa values the both bilateral and multilateral relations to strengthen the achievement of materialising a world that is just, equitable and free. The Africa-India partnership is one such platform that facilitates a constructive change to the harsh realities afflicting the African continent. In this light, South Africa welcomes the strategic role India is playing in supporting regional integration, capacity building in economic cooperation, and infrastructure development.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim I. Ebrahim and other senior government officials.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.

Issued by

The Department Of International Relations And Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria, RSA

20 May 2011