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Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

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International - India & World

Kalam in South Africa

By Vinay Kumar

The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, waves as he boards his plane to South Africa at the Dar es Salaam International Airport in Tanzania on Tuesday. - AP

CAPE TOWN, SEPT. 14. After rounding off his four-day visit to Tanzania, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, reached here on the second leg of his five-day visit to South Africa, the first by an Indian President.

Mr. Kalam's visit assumes significance as it is taking place the same year in which South Africa is celebrating a decade of democracy and freedom after shedding the rule by a white minority that considered itself superior. The Presidential visit is expected give a fresh boost to India's "Focus Africa" policy.

Official sources described visit as the one necessary to "maintain the momentum in the development of bilateral relations following the highly successful visit of the South African President, Thabo Mbeki, to India in October 2003." They expressed the hope that the visit would further enhance the existing strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr. Mbeki was elected by Parliament for a second five-year term that began in April this year after his ruling ANC romped home with a resounding victory in the general elections. He took over from Nelson Mandela in mid-1999.

After reaching Cape Town, the President attended a reception in his honour by the Indian High Commissioner and interacted with the local dignitaries and "friends of India." He will be given a ceremonial reception tomorrow at Tuynhuys. The two Presidents will then have a one-on-one discussion.

Mr. Kalam will visit the Robben Island where Mr. Mandela had spent several years in exile.

He will address the joint session of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

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