India and South Africa have enjoyed long years of strong friendship, as India's Prime Minister Modi visits South Africa as a part of his tour to Southern and Eastern Africa, let's Reminiscence at the countries shared heritage.
History and people.
India supported African National Congress's struggle against Apartheid, and was one of the first open critic of the then South African government. India even refused to maintain any diplomatic relations with them.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi commenced his political-legal career in South Africa, orchestrates civil disobedience there for the first time to improve the quality of living of the Indians there.
South Africa has a large Indian population, 2.7 percent of its people have Indian ancestry, most of them are settled around Durban making it the largest Indian city outside India.
Geography and Politics
India resumed diplomatic relations with South Africa only after Apartheid was abolished.
South African leader Nelson Mandela was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize and Bharat Ratna by the Indian government.
India, South Africa, China, Brazil and Russia have formed an association called BRICS, which is a trade and cooperation association between the worlds largest Developing countries.
In 2003, India, South Africa and Brazil signed an agreement called BrasÃlia Declaration or IBSA, establishing "South-South" cooperation, the regional powers of South Asia, Southern Africa and South America.
Trade and sports
India is the largest importer of coal from South Africa (purchased 1.4 million tonnes in February).
Bilateral trade grew exponentially from USD 3 million in 1992-93 to USD, to USD 12 billion by 2010.
South Africa has facilitate India to sign a free trade agreement with India and the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), which includes Botswana, Lesotho , Namibia and Swaziland.
Militarily India and South Africa have developed good cooperation, perform joint exercises have programs to train forces together and also trade arms.
India cricket board (BCCI) and South Cricket board enjoy a good rapport and constantly play games against each other.
This sums up the love South Africa has for India
At the celebration of 20 years of South African independence, South African Minister for Human Settlement Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu said "India is South Africa's closet ally in Asia", and thanked India for its role in helping South Africa obtain Independence.
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