PM Modi concludes Mozambique visit, departs for South Africa

Maputo (Mozambique), July 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for South African capital city Pretoria after having a brief interaction with Indian diaspora in Mozambique on Thursday evening. "Obrigado Mozambique! PM @narendramodi departs Maputo for Pretoria, the second leg of his African sojourn," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Vikas Swarup. "Leaving Mozambique with great happiness over the ground covered in the visit to deepen the bond between India & Mozambique," tweeted Prime Minister Modi after his departure. Earlier, interacting with the Indian community in Mozambique, the Prime Minister said, "Africa was the land which started shaping the identity of the Indian Diaspora. Even as you assimilate with your local societies, you have managed to conserve the essence of your Indianness." "I should have spent more time with you all. But, I assure you that when I come here next, I will give you all more time," he added. "Always a delight to meet and interact with the Indian community," tweeted the Prime minister after the interaction. From July 8-9 in South Africa, the Prime Minister will have meetings with President Jacob Zuma and other senior leaders across the political spectrum to further enhance relations with South Africa. With South Africa, India cooperates and works closely in multi-lateral fora like BRICS, IBSA, G20 and BASIC. The Prime Minister is also expected to visit Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban during the visit. Pietermaritzburg is the place where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the train compartment. Underlining that on the evening of 7th July, he will reach Pretoria in South Africa, which is an important strategic partner with whom India's ties are historical and deep-rooted, the Prime Minister had said before embarking on his four-nation tour: "My programmes in South Africa will span across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. History is witness to how Mahatma Gandhi's stay in South Africa impacted him and the history of the world. He went to South Africa as a lawyer seeking work and returned to India as a strong voice for humanitarian values, who would go on to shape the history of humankind." "I will have the honour to visit Phoenix Settlement and Pietermaritzburg Station, two places very closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi's stay in South Africa. A visit to South Africa is incomplete without remembering the beloved 'Madiba'. I will also be honoured to visit the Constitutional Hill and Nelson Mandela Foundation, where I would pay my tributes to an icon of human history, who made his country and the world a much better place," said Prime Minister Modi in a statement, adding that during his visit, he will meet President Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. In an effort to boost economic ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister will speak at the India-South Africa business meet. His other programmes in South Africa include a meeting with the Alumni Network in Durban and a reception hosted by the Mayor of Durban, at Durban City Hall. Noting that South Africa is home to a vibrant Indian community that has made South Africa their home for years, the Prime Minister said: "I will interact with the Indian community a programme in Johannesburg on 8th July. I invite you to share your ideas and inputs for my speech, through the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App'." The Prime Minister will have meetings with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli in Tanzania on July10 to further enhance mutual cooperation and understanding on major issues of common interest. The Prime Minister will be in Kenya the next day, where he will have bilateral discussions with President Kenyatta. Prime Minister Modi will also address students in the University of Nairobi during the visit. (ANI)