India, South Africa ink 3-year exchange programme to cooperate in key areas

It was the fourth meeting between PM Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa within a year

India and South Africa on Friday sealed three-year strategic programme to further boost cooperation in a number of key areas after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his media statement, Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

Ramaphosa said his country was looking at a "result-oriented" partnership with India through the implementation of the three-year strategic exchange programme.

President Ram Nath Kovind greets his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe as First Lady Savita Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi look on, during a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bahavan in New Delhi | PTI

The strategic programme will a programme will cover cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security, trade and investment, the blue economy, tourism, IT and agriculture.

Ramaphosa, who arrived here this morning, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on Saturday.

It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa within a year.