India-South Africa India-South Africa 2019 | Page 10

State Visit of President of South Africa to India A t the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa visited India from 25-26 January 2019. President Ramaphosa on his fi rst State visit to India was also the Chief Guest at India’s 70th Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2019. President Ramaphosa was accorded a ceremonial welcome on January 25, 2019 at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. President Kovind hosted a banquet dinner on January 25, 2019 in honour of the visiting President of South Africa. President Ramaphosa accompanied by Dr. Motsepe also paid respect to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat whose 150th 10 • India-South Africa • 2019 birth anniversary is being celebrated both nationally and internationally. President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House on January 25, 2019. The two leaders held discussions in the spirit of the strategic partnership, strong friendship and historical links between the two countries. Both leaders acknowledged the signifi cance of the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Nelson Mandela and the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi as an invaluable legacy of peace, non-violence, and compassion. President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi jointly addressed the India-South Africa Business Forum on January 25, 2019, with