Opinion Slouching to Pretoria
Relations between South Africa and India were on a hiatus. That should change...
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States need to work on relationships,even friendly states with a shared history. South African President Jacob Zuma has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on several occasions over the past year in foreign cities. On June 4 they sat down in Delhi for a comprehensive dialogue,and succeeded in imparting a forward-looking character to India-South Africa relations.
While in India,Zuma observed there were too many good things to do that need more time. He spoke of his love for Indian cuisine,and was shortly thereafter treated to a superb banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He later told a delegation member that his visit was even better than expected.
Looking beyond protocol and rhetoric,one can pinpoint tangible gains from the Zuma visit.
Several bilateral institutions have lain dormant since the last meeting of the joint commission in 2008. The internal feud in the African National Congress (ANC) that led to the ouster of President Mbeki and to general elections in South Africa explained the hiatus. Now,agreement has been reached to convene the next meeting of the joint commission soon. Minster of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma,who is known for his expertise on and passion for Africa,is to visit South Africa in August. Thus Pretoria-Delhi dialogue will now again be underway.
On political issues,convergence has been further strengthened. The joint declaration reveals the range of regional and international issues on which the two countries have a common perspective: they will step up efforts to reform institutions of global governance,especially the UN Security Council; they have agreed to support each others candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2011-12; they share a sense of satisfaction in having cooperated on climate change,WTO negotiations,and on countering terrorism; and they are resolved to intensify their cooperation,both bilaterally and through IBSA.
The three agreements that were signed were on civil aviation,agriculture and cooperation between diplomatic academies. These,now,are useful,but not exactly path-breaking.
As regards BRIC,the forum South Africa is keen to join and turn into BRICSA,our side seems to have been sufficiently responsive,but it is clear the decision will not be made by Delhi alone.
The economic dimension of the relationship received exceptional attention. The South African president spent hours interacting with business leaders in Mumbai and Delhi. A sizeable business delegation accompanied him. The India-South Africa CEOs forum has been relaunched. A relaunch though is tacit recognition that the forum had under-performed. For achieving its goals,it needs to act effectively,creating synergy with the joint commission. It should also ensure coordination with two ground-level mechanisms: India Business Forum,established by our diplomatic team in Johannesburg in 2007,and the South African Business Forum,set up in India later. The target of $10 billion for bilateral trade by 2012 is ambitious,but doable,as Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies put it aptly,but it would need sustained work.
For trade and investment to grow further,the two governments need to deliver on their promises regarding early conclusion of an India-South African Customs Union preferential trade agreement and bilateral agreement on protection and promotion of investments.
The presence of the defence minister and the minister for public enterprises in the visiting delegation was significant. The current ban on a prestigious,hi-tech South African defence firm for its past actions might have been reconsidered,as hinted by our spokesman before the visit. Any potential for expansion of defence cooperation needs to be exploited optimally; without it,there is something lacking in the strategic partnership.
President Zuma repeatedly pushed all the right buttons,expressing admiration for Indias democracy,progress,rising role in world affairs and contribution to South Africas anti-apartheid struggle. He praised the role of South Africans of Indian descent in enriching the countrys diversity and unique character. He emphasised the importance of celebrations during 2010,marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa.
He hailed Mahatma Gandhi as a giant extraordinary stressing how his teachings influenced South Africa and citing the famous comment that India gave us Gandhi and we gave them a Mahatma.
Zuma might lack Mandelas charisma and Mbekis philosophical depth,but he is a popular leader,practical and pragmatic. Agreements and understandings reached in India represent substantial gains. Hopefully,on his return flight,he would have directed his ministers to stay focused on the India dossier. Only when the follow-up is energetic enough can his journey to India be turned into a historic visit.
The writer served as High Commissioner of India to South Africa from 2006-09
express@expressindia.com
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