Mandela kicks off four-day visit to India
Mandela kicks off four-day visit to India
NEW DELHI (AFP): South African President Nelson Mandela praised India for its staunch opposition to apartheid as he received a 21-gun salute and red carpet welcome at the start of a four-day visit here yesterday.
The South African leader, who arrived here late Tuesday, reviewed an army, navy and air force guard of honor outside the majestic downtown presidential palace to officially kick off his first visit to India as head of state.
A South African spokesman said meanwhile that the 76-year-old Mandela had canceled the private part of his trip because of unspecified "urgent business at home" and would be leaving on tomorrow, two days ahead of schedule.
Mandela, after warmly greeting President Shankar Dayal Sharma and Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, thanked India for its support in the fight against white rule in his homeland.
"This is a country which has been a lifelong supporter of our people in the struggle against racial oppression," he said.
Mandela, who recently underwent a cataract operation and was wearing sunglasses to protect his eyes from the bright morning sun, said: "India's support made it possible for us to overthrow our brutal apartheid regime.
"I want to pay gratitude to Indian leaders for their consistent support in the struggle against racism," he said.
Recalling that India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi set up the first non-white political organization -- the Indian Natal Congress -- in South Africa in 1894, Mandela said he hoped his trip would "cement" ties with a "lifelong ally."
"Successive Indian leaders have extended the hand of friendship and helped us face one of the most brutal regimes," he said.
The South African leader, who appeared relaxed and in good health, said a joint commission to be established during his visit would boost trade between the two countries.
Mandela, whose delegation includes a South African-based granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, visited Gandhi's mausoleum here before sitting down for talks with Sharma and Rao.
Today, Mandela is to be chief guest at India's glittering Republic Day parade down Rajpath, the capital's main avenue.
South African spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said Mandela will not go to Bombay and Ahmedabad over the weekend and will return directly to South Africa tomorrow at the end of the official portion of his visit.
"There is no truth at all in reports that he is cutting short the visit because of health reasons," the spokesman said.
"On the basis of discussions with his colleagues and Indian officials, it was felt that the rest of the trip which was to be on ANC (African National Congress) business would be postponed for some other day," Netshitenzhe said.
"Otherwise, the official state visit is as originally planned," he added. "It is the ANC part of the visit that has been postponed."
During his stay here, Mandela is also scheduled to address a luncheon for Indian businessmen and sign agreements establishing a framework for Indo-South African relations, Indian officials said.
Mandela will sign an accord on the setting up of an Indo-South African joint commission, a treaty on relations between the two countries and a protocol on foreign office consultations.
Indian officials said transfer of South African defense technology, arms sales and the possible formation of an Indian Ocean trade bloc would figure during Mandela's meetings with Indian leaders.
India lifted its economic embargo of South Africa in October 1993 and trade between the two countries is estimated to touch US$5 billion within a few years.