Durban - India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was in awe of the cultural diversity and economic potential of South Africa - and pledged his nation’s support to help accelerate development.
With India and South Africa already Brics members (along with Brazil, Russia and China), Modi said both countries needed to improve their ties in many spheres.
He made the pledge on Saturday in his address in the Durban City Hall, in front of a host of dignitaries, including King Goodwill Zwelithini and Premier Willies Mchunu.
As part of a two-day visit, Modi met President Jacob Zuma on Friday. “During our meeting, we agreed to advance strategic ties between our countries across a range of sectors,” said Modi.
He said improved trade and investment would remain a key component of relations, adding that he and Zuma had also agreed to work on defence matters.
“Let’s take advantage of the opportunities of our partnership.”
He was specific about who should ultimately benefit from the interactions. “My commitment to this development is that it reaches the people who need it the most, the youth.”
Modi said he hoped India’s financial growth would motivate, with other African nations, improvement of relations with India.
“India’s economic advancement is not for our people only; our interests are open to a large part of Africa,” he said.
Modi also spoke fondly about the age-old romance between KwaZulu-Natal and India.
“The first Indians arrived here on November 16, 1860. They were 342 indentured labourers.
“Today, the city of Durban has the largest gathering of Indians outside India.”
Modi paid tribute to Indians living in South Africa and what they had achieved since settling in the province 156 years ago.
He said he was mindful that over the years Indians living here had endured apartheid and colonialism. Nevertheless, they had preserved and maintained their culture and values.
“Today, they are proud citizens of this great country, having made great strides in education, the judiciary and medicine. Many are leading entrepreneurs.”
When King Zwelithini addressed the audience after Modi, he urged the prime minister to focus much of India’s relations with South Africa in KZN.
“I invite you and your government to work with my people and develop this province,” he said .
He asked Modi to help especially with agricultural development.
“I’ve been to Gujarat and I’ve seen some interesting things. We need those scientific advancements you have, to help our farming.
“I believe there is no point giving free health care and medication to hungry people. Then you are a killer. How can a person take medication on an empty stomach?
“I can go to my grave in peace if I know that all my people have food.”
The king said he was aware that India was a technologically advanced country and wanted Modi’s assistance in fighting HIV/Aids and other diseases.
Modi’s day started in Pietermaritzburg with a nostalgic train trip like that Mahatma Ghandi took 102 years ago. Gandhi was thrown off the train.
Modi got off the train at the Pietermaritzburg train station, where a crowd had gathered.
There, he laid a wreath at the Gandhi monument.
Prabhanu Das, an Indian living in Pietermaritzburg, was in the crowd. He had waited nearly four hours for Modi’s brief visit.
“In India, I never got a chance to meet him. Today, I got within touching distance,” said Das.
The prime minister’s cavalcade weaved its way down the N3 to Durban for a stopover at the Gandhi settlement in Inanda.
There he was met by Gandhi’s granddaughter, Ela, and local religious and community leaders.
Sunday Tribune