RED FORT DECLARATION

Jan. 25, 2019

India and South Africa will update their 20-year old Strategic Partnership by agreeing on a comprehensive “roadmap” on the way ahead when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – who is the Republic Day chief guest – meets with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

About:

The Strategic Partnership between India and South Africa, called the RED FORT DECLARATION, was signed in 1997 by the then South African President Nelson Mandela and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda.
Officials said all aspects the partnership would be reviewed and updated with a three-year plan of action on security cooperation, trade and investment, tourism, harnessing the ‘blue economy’, maritime cooperation, agriculture, science and technology projects.
Defence deals:
- The two sides are also expected to explore new defence deals in the backdrop of the lifting of a 13-year old ban on South African defence firm Denel that was barred from doing business in India since 2005.
- Denel was finally removed from the blacklist in September 2018 the Supreme Court subsequently dismissed corruption charges against the company.
During his visit, Mr. Ramaphosa will also deliver the “First IBSA Gandhi Mandela Memorial Freedom Lecture”, instituted by the Indian Council of World Affairs in Delhi.