Ansari to visit S Africa for inauguration of Zuma as President

New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Vice President Hamid Ansari will
represent India at the inauguration of South Africa's new
President Jacob Zuma, who was installed to power following the
landslide win of his ruling ANC in the fourth multi-racial
polls in that country after the end of apartheid.

Ansari will leave for South Africa on Friday on a
three-day visit, specifically to attend the inauguration of
President Zuma in Pretoria on May 9.

The Vice President will be accompanied by wife Salma
Ansari and Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External
Affairs Nalin Surie and some other high-level officials during
the visit.

Zuma, 67, was Wednesday elected as President by the South
African parliament with a thumping majority. He polled 277
votes out of 327 cast by MPs against his opponent Mvume
Dandala, who secured 47.

Ansari's visit "underlines historic bond between the two
countries and India's determination to add depth to the
relations," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash
told reporters while briefing on the visit.

During the visit, Ansari is expected to meet some world
leaders, who would also assemble in Pretoria to attend the
inauguration of Zuma, whose ANC swept the April 22 polls.

Prakash noted that India's relations with South Africa
have been growing from "strength to strength" and have
developed into strategic ties.

New Delhi and Pretoria share common views on a number of
global issues which they have been jointly airing through the
India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) forum.

South Africa is also a key member of the 54-nation
African Union (AU) with which India seeks to enhance
cooperation in all spheres, particularly in trade and
investment.

India is also looking for support of the AU for its bid
for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

South Africa is one of the largest trading partners of
India in the African continent, the MEA spokesman said.

The volume of bilateral trade has been increasing and
stood at USD 6.2 billion during the financial year 2007-08.
The bilateral trade in 2008-09 is estimated to be of the tune
of USD 7 billion.

Incidentally, Ansari's visit to South Africa is taking
place at a time when the Indian Premier League (IPL)
tournament is being played in that country.

Asked whether the Vice President would take some time out
to watch any IPL match, the spokesman said it would depend on
Ansari's personal interest. PTI KIM
SAK
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