PM Narendra Modi arrives in South Africa to boost economic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night arrived in South Africa as part of his four-nation Africa tour aimed at enhancing ties with the continent, particularly in the economic sphere.

“In the footsteps of history. PM @narendramodi arrives in Pretoria for the second leg of his Africa tour,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted on Modi’s arrival in Pretorio.

“Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations & Cooperation and Lindiwe Zulu, Minister for Small business welcome PM to SA,” he said.

During his South Africa visit, Modi will meet President Jacob Zuma and also Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President.

“In an effort to boost our economic ties, I will speak at the India-South Africa business meet,” Modi had earlier said.

Modi arrived in Mozambique this morning in the first leg of his five-day tour.

Earlier in Mozambique, Modi held wide-ranging talks with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and the two countries agreed to strengthen security and defence ties and bolster cooperation in food security.

The focus of the African tour will be on deepening cooperation in areas of hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food.

Modi will also travel to Tanzania and Kenya.