1.Describing his country's relationship with India as "very important", South African President Thabo Mbeki today said "strategic partnership" needs to be further expanded. "I want to strengthen bilateral relations as our relationship with India is very important. We need to look at what more should be done in the strategic partnership," he told reporters after being accorded ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan here. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said "there is already cooperation with South Africa on many vital matters and during the visit we will discuss on how to further strengthen bilateral relations." Mbeki, who is heading a high-powered delegation and is accompanied by his wife Zanele, said "We are very happy indeed to be in India. Your Prime Minister just reminded me that it is coming after many years. Mbeki was received by President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, besides senior officials and diplomats

During this visit, which takes place on the tenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the new South Africa, both countries reaffirm their commitment towards a strategic partnership, based on their shared values democracy, economic development with social justice, and a just and equitable global order.

2. Both countries recall that their freedom struggle were linked intrinsically through Mahatma Gandhi whose ideals and vision continue to inspire the two countries. They, furthermore, agreed that this had created a unique historical bond between them.

3. Recalling the Red Fort Declaration on a & Strategic Partnership between India and South Africa, signed in March 1997, both countries note with satisfaction the consolidation of this partnership over the years A high degree of understanding, mutual trust and confidence mark India-South Africa cooperation, which has extended to every sphere of human endeavor including, in particular, political, economic, defense, scientific, technological and cultural matters. This has made the bilateral relationship strong, broad-based and vibrant. Both countries reiterate their desire to further strengthen and diversify bilateral relations and take their partnership from strength to strength for the benefit of both peoples.

4. Taking note of the commendable progress made by both countries towards the goal of growth with equity and justice, addressing poverty and underdevelopment, India and South Africa agree that their bilateral cooperation

should contribute to empowerment of the marginalized and disadvantaged citizens, which is a common priority.

5. The two countries note that the economies of India and South Africa have certain comparative advantages and complementarities, which offer a wide range of potential opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment and transfer of technology. For example, India has valuable experience in human resource development, information and communication technology and the pharmaceuticals sector. South Africa has world-class skills and technology in mining, power generation and infrastructure development and infrastructure development and a vast reservoir of mineral resources. Both countries agree on the need for creating better awareness of each other's strengths within the private sectors of the two countries.

6. Both countries note with satisfaction that negotiations between India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) towards a Free Trade Agreement have shown substantial progress. It is hoped that the matter will be concluded by the end of 2004. Such an agreement will provide a significant incentive to the business communities of the two countries to explore mutually beneficial commercial opportunities and contribute to the growth of bilateral trade.

7. Both agree that the recently constituted tripartite IBSA dialogue forum, comprising India, Brazil and South Africa, is a significant addition to the architecture of South-South dialogue. These three like-minded countries from three continents, represent large vibrant democracies with strong economies and rich human and natural resources. By providing an avenue for exploring the potential synergy among the members, IBSA would contribute to revitalization of South-South cooperation.

8. Both countries reaffirm their faith in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). They agree that the NAM could play an important role in addressing global issues such as sustainable development, poverty alleviation, financing for development, food security, issues of international peace and security, terrorism and disarmament, as well as environmental protection.

9. Furthermore, they welcome the agreements reached at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg in September 2002, reaffirming the Rio Principles, in particular, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Both sides reiterated their commitment towards advancing the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Both express concern about the adverse effect of climate change and its implications. In this regard, they expressed their desire for an early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Both countries stressed the importance of the initiation of negotiations within the framework of the Convention on Bio-diversity towards an international regime for promoting and

protecting the just and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources.

10 India appreciates the role being played by South Africa in promoting peace, development, democracy and good governance in Africa. Reiterating the historical links that bind India and Africa, the two countries agree to work closely and actively to make lndia’s engagement with Africa even more meaningful. South Africa notes with appreciation that the Afro Asian Games will be held in India (Hyderabad) from October 24 to November 1, 2003.

11. South Africa values India's determination to support the transformation of Africa. The two countries noted that both the establishment of the African Union and the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as the regeneration program of the African continent, hold tremendous promise for the development of Africa. India has already taken many steps in order to engage fruitfully with NEPAD, including allocation of US$ 200 million for projects that contribute to realization of NEPAD's objectives. The two countries welcome the ~ opportunity of enhancing cooperation with each other in identifying and

implementing these projects.

12. The two countries recognize that international economic relations continue to be characterized by inequities and inequalities. Large sections of the world are yet to reap the benefits of globalization, which has led to economic crises and instability in several developing countries. The two countries agree that globalization must not perpetuate existing inequalities and call upon the countries of the North and of the South to continue their dialogue towards establishing a more equitable global economic environment. Both countries reiterate their commitment towards ensuring the success of the WTO Doha Development Round.

13. Both countries reiterate the need to reform the United Nations to make it more effective and truly representative of the contemporary international community. They acknowledge the vital importance of the role of the United Nations in promoting world peace, stability and development. They remain determined to continue their efforts in strengthening the UN system as the central mechanism for ensuring international peace and security as well as democratizing international relations. They reiterate their support for the need to reform the UN, particularly the expansion of the UN Security Council. They stress, in particular, the need for an equitable balance in an expanded Security Council to provide a decisive voice to developing countries. They believe that piecemeal and discriminatory approaches to such expansion would be inconsistent with the objectives of that world body. India and South Africa share the belief that the emerging world order should be just, equitable, multi-polar and based on the principles of democracy, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and respect for human rights and principles of the United Nations.

14. Both countries stress their concern over the increase in international terrorism, religious extremism, trans-border organized crime and illicit trafficking in arms and drugs. They view this upsurge as a serious threat to sovereign states, international peace, development, security and stability. In this context, they stress the importance of strict, full and unconditional implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on the fight against terrorism and reiterate in particular their commitment to the UN Security Council Resolution 1373. They stress the need to strengthen the international legal regime to fight terrorism through the early finalization and adoption of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the Convention for the Suppression of Acts (of Nuclear Terrorism. They affirm that terrorism is a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and that no cause or pretext can justify it. They agree that the fight against terrorism by the international community has to be global, comprehensive and sustained, with the ultimate objective of its total eradication from the world. Action within the ambit of the UN system should be taken against those states, entities and individuals who support, finance, harbor or abet terrorists or provide them shelter, safe havens or asylum to engage in any act of terrorism. In that regard it is essential that every State be made to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting, training or participating in terrorist acts in another state or acquiescing in organized activities within its territories directed towards the commission of such acts.

15. Both countries note the existence of global threats and challenges including trafficking in narcotic drugs, human beings and small arms; hunger and malnutrition; diseases like malaria and tuberculosis that grip developing countries; the pandemic of HIV/AIDS; and the degradation of our common environment. In this regard they reiterate the need to fully implement the Millennium Development Goals.

16. To concretize cooperation between India and South Africa, both countries agree that the following bilateral agreements, signed during the visit, area are important step forward

· Extradition Treaty;

· Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;

· Cultural Exchange Program for the years 2004-2006

· Agreement on cooperation in the field of power.

• Agreement on cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons

17. The strategic partnership between India and South Africa is guided by the common vision of a global order marked by peace, security and equity. Both countries emphasize the multidimensional nature of poverty. It extends beyond income to education, health care, capacity building and skill enhancement, political participation at all levels advancement of indigenous culture and social organization and access to natural resources, clean water and air for all. To tackle these multiple challenges, they agree to consolidate their cooperation bilaterally as well as multilaterally, including at international fora such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and through the IBSA dialogue forum, to build a better world for the present and future generations

Prime Minister The Republic of India

New Delhi

16 October 2003

President

The Republic of South Africa