Africa Visit Aimed At Enhancing Ties, Says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his four-nation tour of Africa today. His visits are aimed at enhancing ties with countries across the African continent, particularly in the economic sphere and people-to-people relations.

PM Modi begins his four-nation visit with Mozambique and will then travel to South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

Focus of the visit will be on deepening cooperation in areas of hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food.

"My Africa tour, aimed at enhancing ties between India & Africa will begin from Mozambique in a brief but key visit," he tweeted ahead of his departure.

My Africa tour, aimed at enhancing ties between India & Africa will begin from Mozambique in a brief but key visit. https://t.co/LaOw7lk2fp

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2016

"My programmes in South Africa will span across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban & Pietermaritzburg," he added.

My programmes in South Africa will span across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban & Pietermaritzburg. Here are details. https://t.co/BTF9fpGRy6

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2016

"In Tanzania I will hold talks with President Dr. John Magufuli, meet 'Solar Mamas' and interact with Indian community," Prime Minister Modi added.

In Tanzania I will hold talks with President Dr. John Magufuli, meet 'Solar Mamas' & interact with Indian community. https://t.co/gUqFNIr0Wz

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2016

With regard to his visit to Kenya, he tweeted, "Talks with President @UKenyatta, deliberations on economic & people-to-people ties will be focus of my Kenya visit."

Giving details in Facebook posts, the Prime Minister said that the aim of his visit to Mozambique is to increase cooperation and boost cultural linkages.

"I will meet President Filipe Nyusi and hold extensive talks with him," he said.

Other programmes include a meeting with Veronica Macamo, the President of the National Assembly and a visit to the S&T Park, Maluana, where he will interact with students. He will also interact with the Indian community briefly.

Later this evening, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Pretoria in South Africa. PM Modi described South Africa as an "important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted."

He said, "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 (Nelson Mandela). 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," he said.

During his South Africa visit, he will meet President Jacob Zuma as also Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President.

"In an effort to boost our economic ties, I will speak at the India-South Africa business meet," he said.

On July 10, he will be in Tanzania for a "brief but crucial visit" to give an impetus to ties with Tanzania, a valued friend in Africa, PM Modi said.

PM Modi will then visit Kenya on the evening of July 10.

"India-Kenya ties have stood the test of time. Both our nations have had very strong people-to-people ties and both nations have successfully fought colonialism in the previous century," the Prime Minister said.