SA Prez arrives on state visit today

Smita Sharma 

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

This year’s Republic Day chief guest, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa along with First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe, will reach Delhi on his first state visit on Friday.

He will be accompanied by nine senior cabinet members and a 50-member business delegation. After Nelson Mandela in 1995, Ramaphosa is the second chief guest from South Africa as India celebrates its 70th Republic Day. His visit, which was finalised after US President Donald Trump declined India’s invitation, coincides with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi globally with special resonance in South Africa. 

President Ramaphosa will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday where President Ram Nath Kovind will host a state banquet in his honour later in the evening. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold formal talks with President Ramaphosa on Friday with a focus on defence and Indian Ocean RIM cooperation, maritime security, agriculture, trade and investment, mines, counterterrorism, students exchange and visa liberalisation.