ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

Mandela accepts Congress invitation to visit India

South African President Nelson Mandela and his designated successor Thombo Mbeki have accepted a Congress invitation to visit India to strengthen ties between the Congress and the African National Congress.

This was conveyed to a Congress delegation led by former external affairs minister N D Tiwari during their week-long visit to South Africa.

Speaking to newspersons, Tiwari said the ANC had proposed a structured programme of exchange between the two parties, involving youth, women and trade unions. Both sides would soon exchange proposals, he said.

Asked if the Pokhran nuclear tests came up during the discussions, Tiwari said the ANC had understood the Congress party's position on the issue. But he said newspapers and other sections of South Africa were very concerned about the attacks on Christians in India, he said.

The delegation consisted of Ambika Soni, T Basheer and Anand Sharma.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report