India, S Africa to expedite trade pact

India and South Africa today agreed to expedite talks on a preferential trade agreement with five-nation Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and sought to treble bilateral trade to more than $10 billion by 2010.

"Every effort would be made to conclude the India-Southern African Customs Union Preferential Trade Agreement as soon as possible since it would provide a significant incentive to the business communities of the two countries," a joint declaration issued at the end of extensive talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South African President Thabo Mbeki said.

The two countries also signed two pacts in education and railways. The accords, on cooperation in education and between Indian Railways and South Africa's Spoornet, were signed in the presence of Singh and Mbeki.

In a boost to their strategic partnership, South Africa pledged its support to India's case for nuclear fuel supplies as the two countries agreed to work for joint research and development in the defence sector.

South Africa, a member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), had "no problems" in supporting India's case once the Indo-US nuclear deal of July 18 last year was approved by the US Congress, Mbeki said at a press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

On the 137th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a strong factor in India-South Africa bilateral ties, Singh and Mbeki had extensive discussions during which enhancement of bilateral strategic partnership as well as economic and commercial ties was agreed upon.