Modi addresses Indian community in Johannesburg

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed more than 11,000 members of the Indian community at a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mordi in his speech said “the same India which had condemned South Africa during apartheid was the first one to embrace it after apartheid”.

He added that the combined trade between the two countries have increased by more than 300% during the last ten years.

“Friends South Africa is a sacred land, it is the land of Madiba and the karmabhumi of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.

India is currently South Africa’s sixth partner with exchanges in trade put at $5.3 billion for 2015-16 period.

“Your forefathers fought for South Africa political freedom. Today you can be crucial contributors in South Africa’s march towards economic prosperity” he added.

The two countries have signed agreements in the field of information technologies and tourism and had expressed willingness to work together in mines, pharmaceutical sector and defense.

The Indian Prime Minister is on a tour to Africa to strengthen the economic influence of New Delhi on the continent against rival, China.

The two countries also share a close historical ties. Gandhi lived 21 years in South Africa, where he made his first bold step as a defender of human rights.

He is also expected to visit Tanzania, and Kenya. .

AFP,Press Agency