The President Mrs.Pratibha Devisingh Patil today returned to New Delhi after wrapping up nine-day state visit to Seychelles and South Africa to boost economic ties with the African nations. Talking to newsmen on board ,Mrs.Patil said that her visit to Seychelles underscored the importance of the strong bonds of friendship and the strength of the bilateral relations with this strategically located country in the Indian Ocean. While combating piracy in the Indan Ocean remained the focus of discussions with her Seychellois counterpart James Alix Michel,areas of bilateral cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, transport and connectivity, tourism, environment and renewable energy were also identified. A financial package for Seychelles of a Line of Credit of 50 million US Dollars and a grant of 25 million US Dollars was also granted to that country.

Mrs.Patil said,her Visit to South Africa highlighted the strategic partnership between India and South Africa and reflected the strong historical linkage as both countries have fought against colonialism and apartheid. India has regular and frequent dialogue with South Africa and understanding on political issues and their membership of G-20, IBSA, BRICS, BASIC and NAM has offered opportunities to cooperate closely on issues of mutual interest.

Mrs. Patil said,India-South Africa trade and economic cooperation has been extensive and has seen robust growth in recent years. The trade turnover target of 10 billion US Dollars has been achieved and a new target of 15 billion US Dollars is to be achieved by 2014.
Mrs. Patil also visited the sites related to Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa.