South-South ties get IBSA boost

The two leaders also reviewed the progress in the strategic partnership agreed upon by both countries during South African President Thabo Mbeki’s visit to India in 1996. Sinha, who is in South Africa to attend the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission, informed Zuma of the specific steps New Delhi has taken to be part of the ‘‘African Renaissance’’. He said the Indian High Commission in Pretoria and Secretariat of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) will report to the Joint Ministerial Commission.

The statement also said Mbeki will visit India in October to give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations. The two countries also discussed the coming WTO ministerial conference at Cancun, West Asia peace process, challenges facing the UN and NAM.