New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is expected to pay an official visit to the African countries of South Africa and Namibia from June 1 to 6, 2023.
The statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs informs this, along with the information that the EAM’s visit to South Africa from June 1 to June 3 is in regard to participating in the BRICS Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting being held in Capetown. It is also expected that he will hold a bilateral meeting with the South African Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor.
The statement also added that Jaishankar will call on the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, and is expected to hold bilateral meetings with other BRICS foreign ministers as well as ‘Friends of BRICS’ ministers. He will also have an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Capetown.
Thereafter, the EAM will leave for Namibia from June 4 to June 6. This will be the first time any Indian External Affairs Minister visits the nation.
The government released an announcement that the EAM will call on the country’s top leadership and meet with other ministers of the government.
EAM will also co-chair the Joint Commission Meeting’s inaugural session with Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He will also meet with members of the Indian diaspora in Namibia.
The EAM’s visits to both nations are expected to strengthen the strong bilateral relations with South Africa and Namibia.
Noticeably, both India and China are improving their relations with Africa. While China has been a part of Africa’s infrastructure, mining, and oil sectors, India has worked in education, training, and capacity-building programmes.
The Union Cabinet recently approved the establishment of 18 new Indian missions in Africa during a four-year period from 2018 to 2021. This action is considered a significant boost to India-Africa relations.
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