Cyril Ramaphosa and Modi Strengthen South Africa-India Relations

On Thursday, February 4, 2021, President Ramaphosa engaged in a phone discussion with India’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Narendra Modi. This dialogue followed the arrival of the inaugural batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute in India to South Africa on February 1, 2021.

Expressions of Gratitude

During their conversation, President Ramaphosa expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Indian government and its people for their invaluable contribution through vaccines and scientific expertise. He relayed the deep gratitude of South Africans for India’s solidarity during the ongoing health crisis.

Shared Concerns on COVID-19

Both leaders acknowledged the persistent challenges posed by the constantly mutating COVID-19 virus. Prime Minister Modi shared that India is planning to develop one or two additional vaccines and intends to continue offering support to African nations through a special vaccine package. Moreover, India will contribute 13 million doses to the COVAX initiative by the end of February 2021.

A Call for Vaccine Accessibility

The two leaders discussed the increasing global support for a temporary waiver of specific TRIPS obligations, a proposal jointly put forth by South Africa and India to the World Trade Organization. This waiver aims to make vaccines more accessible and facilitate local production, ultimately benefiting countless communities.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi emphasized the robust bilateral ties between South Africa and India. They reiterated the significance of their strategic partnership, especially in fostering economic collaboration to mitigate the severe effects of the pandemic on the global economy.

Prime Minister Modi commended South Africa’s effective management of the pandemic, particularly in handling the ever-evolving and highly transmissible virus.

Collaborative Efforts for Peace

South Africa also congratulated India on its recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Both nations are committed to working collaboratively on peace and security issues as part of their vision for a better world.

Media inquiries can be directed to Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa. How do you think international cooperation can further enhance global health security in the future?