Pretoria: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday wrapped up his three-day official visit to South Africa, marked by re-discovery of Mahatma Gandhi and raising of India-South Africa ties to a new high.
The Prime Minister described the visit as a 'pilgrimage' to the 'blessed land' from where Mahatma Gandhi transformed from a young barrister into a Mahatma.
During the visit, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration, further strengthening the Strategic Partnership and cooperation in Defence sector, including possibility of joint research and development.
The two countries also agreed to cooperate in counter-terrorism, UN reforms and bilateral trade.
South Africa pledged support to India at the Nuclear SuppliersGroup (NSG) when the Indo-US nuclear deal came up before it for discussion.
''We have no problem with that. When the matter comes up (at the NSG), we will support that,'' South African President Thabo Mbeki said at a joint press conference along with Dr Singh after a marathon session of discussions at the Union Buildings on Monday.
South Africa also supported India's Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), currently under discussion at the UN.
President Mbeki also categorically announced support for India's pan-African-e-Network which President A P J Abdul Kalam had initiated during his visit to South Africa in 2004.
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