South Africa to support India at NSG

In a boost to their strategic partnership, South Africa on Monday pldeged its support to India's case for nuclear fuel supplies even as the two countries agreed to work for joint research and development in the defence sector.

South Africa, a member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, has 'no problems' in supporting India's case once the Indo-US nuclear deal of July 18 last year is approved by the US Congress, President Thabo Mbeki said at a press conference, which he addressed jointly with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

On the 137th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a strong factor in India-South Africa bilateral ties, Dr Singh and Mbeki had extensive discussions during which enhancement of bilateral strategic partnership as well as economic and commercial ties was agreed upon.

Besides support in NSG, whose approval is a must for India to receive nuclear fuel and reactors if the Indo-US agreement goes through, South Africa lent its support to New Delhi on the issue of terrorism with Mbeki specifically denouncing the 'barbaric' terror strikes in Mumbai.

The prime minister, on his part, supported South Africa's aspirations for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, a goal India is also chasing.

By virtue of its international standing, Pretoria was 'eminently entitled' to a place in the Council, he said.

An agreement on cooperation in the field of education and a Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Railways and its South African counterpart Spoornet were signed.

The talks were held at the Union Buildings, built in 1913, with a striking resemblance to the North and the South Blocks in New Delhi. Herbert Baker was the architect in both the cases.

A Preferential Trade Agreement, however, did not materialise but Dr Singh and Mbeki agreed that every effort would be made to conclude it.

Dr Singh said at the joint press conference that he had explained the Indo-US nuclear agreement to Mbeki.

"I expressed the hope that when the matter is considered by the NSG, South Africa will take a sympathetic view of India's concerns," he said.

Mbeki was quick to say that 'we are all awaiting' the outcome of the processes in the US Congress. His uranium-rich country had no problem in supporting India's case in the NSG.

Answering questions on the issue of terrorism, the South African leader said they were all against the scourge which has not been won.

Emphasising that it was important for countries to share intelligence and information extensively to prevent terror acts, Mbeki said for instance his country's police should learn from the experience of their Mumbai counterparts who had made progress in investigations in the bomb blasts case.