India, SAfrica ink three pacts, discuss ways to improve ties

India and South Africa today inked three pacts, including one on air services, as the leaders of the two countries discussed ways to provide fresh impetus to bilateral ties and agreed to extend support to each other for the UNSC non-permanent seat for 2011-2012 term.

On his maiden visit to any Asian country as President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which they discussed bilateral as well as global issues including reforms in the UN Security Council.

Besides the UNSC non-permanent seat for 2011-2012 term, both countries are also in race for permanent birth in the global body.

"We will step up our efforts for reform of global institutions of governance, including of the United Nations Security Council. We have agreed to support each other’s candidatures for the non-permanent seat for the 2011-2012 term," Singh said after his meeting with Zuma.
   
He said the leaders have decided to impart a forward- looking character to these ties and agreed to focus on the expansion of economic, trade and investment relationship.
   
Singh said, "The links between India and South Africa are rooted in history. We can never forget that South Africa was the land of the awakening of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, for which we owe a deep debt of gratitude to its people."
   
Terming their ties as "historic and unique", Zuma described his visit as "more than success" and said it "resolved all issues which needed to be resolved by two friendly countries."
   
Besides 'Air Services' agreement under which the two countries have added three stops for all flights including Johannesburg and Durban in South Africa and Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram in India, the two countries also signed MoU on cooperation in agriculture and mutual cooperation in foreign and diplomatic services.
   
The Air Services pact will also enable the two countries to enhance their ties in flight security area and increase number of flights from both sides.
   
The MoU on cooperation between the Foreign Services Institute of India and the Diplomatic Academy of South Africa will provide for training of the officers.