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South African Foreign Minister in India To Revive the Country’s Historic Links with Mahatma Gandhi

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EIRNS— South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Ahmedabad, Republic of India, Jan. 7, to represent South Africa at an event marking 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India, the South African government website said.

Ahmedabad is the capital of the Indian state of Gujarat, where the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on Jan. 9, an annual event, as the day "to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India," according to the PBD website for this year. Although this year’s PDB spanned the three days from Jan. 7-9, special emphasis is laid on Jan. 9, the date in 1915 that Mohandas K. Gandhi, "the greatest Pravasi," returned to India. Ms. Nkoana-Mashabane, as Guest of Honour, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the events in Gujarat.

Both Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi belong to Gujarat. The year 2015 marks 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi left South Africa for good after spending his formative years in that country, where he developed his philosophy of satyagraha, a form of active, yet peaceful, resistance to political injustice. Gandhi had identified his role in South Africa protesting against British colonial rule as the crucible that forged his identity as a political activist.

In addition to her visit to Ahmedabad, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will be visiting New Delhi. She told the BRICS Post that South Africa and India "have worked together to build formations and platforms such as IBSA [the India-Brazil-South Africa dialogue forum] and BRICS, which can use effectively to agitate for urgent reform of global institutions and power relations, with the ultimate goal being a more equitable and just world in which countries of the south take their rightful place in world affairs."

Speaking on bilateral relations, she said, "Amongst other priorities, South Africa’s National Development Plan aims to guide our efforts in improving our healthcare, beneficiating our mineral output, investing in renewable energy, training and skilling our population and creating decent work for our people. We are certain that the Indian government and business sector will partner with us as we implement our National Development Plan," said Nkoana-Mashabane.

Ramtanu Maitra