Mandela kicks off four-day visit to India<\/p>\n
NEW DELHI (AFP): South African President Nelson Mandela
\npraised India for its staunch opposition to apartheid as he
\nreceived a 21-gun salute and red carpet welcome at the start of a
\nfour-day visit here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The South African leader, who arrived here late Tuesday,
\nreviewed an army, navy and air force guard of honor outside the
\nmajestic downtown presidential palace to officially kick off his
\nfirst visit to India as head of state.<\/p>\n
A South African spokesman said meanwhile that the 76-year-old
\nMandela had canceled the private part of his trip because of
\nunspecified \"urgent business at home\" and would be leaving on
\ntomorrow, two days ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n
Mandela, after warmly greeting President Shankar Dayal Sharma
\nand Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, thanked India for its
\nsupport in the fight against white rule in his homeland.<\/p>\n
\"This is a country which has been a lifelong supporter of our
\npeople in the struggle against racial oppression,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mandela, who recently underwent a cataract operation and was
\nwearing sunglasses to protect his eyes from the bright morning
\nsun, said: \"India's support made it possible for us to overthrow
\nour brutal apartheid regime.<\/p>\n
\"I want to pay gratitude to Indian leaders for their
\nconsistent support in the struggle against racism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Recalling that India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi set up
\nthe first non-white political organization -- the Indian Natal
\nCongress -- in South Africa in 1894, Mandela said he hoped his
\ntrip would \"cement\" ties with a \"lifelong ally.\"<\/p>\n
\"Successive Indian leaders have extended the hand of
\nfriendship and helped us face one of the most brutal regimes,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The South African leader, who appeared relaxed and in good
\nhealth, said a joint commission to be established during his
\nvisit would boost trade between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Mandela, whose delegation includes a South African-based
\ngranddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, visited Gandhi's mausoleum here
\nbefore sitting down for talks with Sharma and Rao.<\/p>\n
Today, Mandela is to be chief guest at India's glittering
\nRepublic Day parade down Rajpath, the capital's main avenue.<\/p>\n
South African spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said Mandela will
\nnot go to Bombay and Ahmedabad over the weekend and will return
\ndirectly to South Africa tomorrow at the end of the official
\nportion of his visit.<\/p>\n
\"There is no truth at all in reports that he is cutting short
\nthe visit because of health reasons,\" the spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\"On the basis of discussions with his colleagues and Indian
\nofficials, it was felt that the rest of the trip which was to be
\non ANC (African National Congress) business would be postponed
\nfor some other day,\" Netshitenzhe said.<\/p>\n
\"Otherwise, the official state visit is as originally
\nplanned,\" he added. \"It is the ANC part of the visit that has
\nbeen postponed.\"<\/p>\n
During his stay here, Mandela is also scheduled to address a
\nluncheon for Indian businessmen and sign agreements establishing
\na framework for Indo-South African relations, Indian officials
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Mandela will sign an accord on the setting up of an Indo-South
\nAfrican joint commission, a treaty on relations between the two
\ncountries and a protocol on foreign office consultations.<\/p>\n
Indian officials said transfer of South African defense
\ntechnology, arms sales and the possible formation of an Indian
\nOcean trade bloc would figure during Mandela's meetings with
\nIndian leaders.<\/p>\n
India lifted its economic embargo of South Africa in October
\n1993 and trade between the two countries is estimated to touch
\nUS$5 billion within a few years.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mandela-kicks-off-four-day-visit-to-india-1447893297",
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