Sushma Swaraj commemorates Gandhi Train Incident in South Africa
The Minister of External Affairs of India, Her Excellency, Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province and attended the commemoration of an event which occurred 125 years ago, on 7th June 1893, when a young Mahatma Gandhi was forcibly removed from the first class – whites-only carriage of a train in Pietermaritzburg. Willies Mchunu, Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South African Government and Luwellyn Landers, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation were present at the occasion.
South Africa and India enjoy a strategic partnership and their bilateral relations are anchored by a deep and shared history of friendship and solidarity. This year witnessed the hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, since whence relations have evolved at a rapid pace. India is currently South Africa’s second largest trading partner in Asia and ranks amongst South Africa’s top ten trade partners. In 2017 bilateral trade reached R107 billion.
Both Mandela and Gandhi were visionary leaders who were ahead of their times. Modern day India, with its extra-ordinary economic growth and development, and South Africa, have carved a niche as influential global players, as witnessed by our roles in BRICS, IORA, IBSA and the G20, as well as within the United Nations system
