Address to African National Congress Caucus by Hon’ble Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENT CAPE TOWN                                                                                                                                                23rd AUGUST 2007 Madam Speaker, Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen, I It is indeed an extraordinary privilege for me to be standing before you this morning. It is both an inspiring and humbling moment. Inspiring, as I recall the glorious history that our two countries have shared. Humbling, as I recall the galaxy of remarkable personalities who have defined the relationship between us. Both South Africa and India have waged similar struggles. Both South Africa and India have fought against bondage and indignity. Both South Africa and India have aspired to similar freedoms—political and economic-- and to similar goals of social equality. Both South Africa and India are bound together by the same compelling vision of “unity in diversity”—or should I say, “unities in diversities”. Separated by but a single sea, India has had a long relationship with the African continent. Science tells us that we are, in millennial terms, all migrants from the heart of Africa. In modern times, Indians first arrived in South Africa in 1861 as indentured labour, the victims of a common colonization. Our relationship changed dramatically when a barrister called Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi first went from India to South Africa in 1893 and, in time, took on that very force of alien occupation. Mahatma Gandhi once described himself as being born in India and made in South Africa. A day before he was assassinated, he reminisced about South Africa in his daily prayer meeting. Our leaders—Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, in particular felt deeply for you in your sufferings and espoused your cause passionately. Two years ago, South Africa graciously acknowledged Jawaharlal Nehru’s role by awarding him the Order of Supreme Companion of O R Tambo. South Africa beckons to us powerfully for yet another reason. So many men and women of your magnificent nation have distinguished themselves as tireless campaigners for peace, nonviolence and amity. We see in Nelson Mandela a living symbol of freedom from hate and vengefulness, the noblest and most inspiring man of our times. Madam Speaker, This is our shared legacy, deeply textured, unusually rich. Very few countries are fortunate thus. This legacy has provided the foundation on which we are building our bilateral relationship. While it is important to recall and remind ourselves of our past, we always have to look ahead. Trade and investment are very important. There are many opportunities that we can and must grasp. Our two governments have a broad agenda. We are committed to deeper and mutually enriching economic partnership with South Africa. But that is a very limited and narrow view of ourselves. Our shared destiny goes beyond the confines of commerce and economics. Both South Africa and India occupy crucial positions in the world community and by virtue of this, we will be called upon to enlarge the canvas of the dialogue between ourselves. We have a common interest in ensuring that religious, linguistic, ethnic or sectarian conflict does not destroy the fabric of our societies. We have a common interest in ensuring that globalization does not lead to increased impoverishment and inequalities. We have a common interest in ensuring that the world takes firm steps towards comprehensive, universal nuclear disarmament. And, we have a common interest in strengthening parliamentary democracy both as an instrument of representation and of governance. Let me very briefly touch on each of these four themes. II It is one of those ironies of history that on September 11, 1906, Mahatma Gandhi first launched his weapon of peaceful, non-violent satyagraha in Johannesburg and on the same day, ninety five years later, the horrifying terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York took place. The first was about love and compassion, the other about fear and hatred. Let us be clear. Terrorism was not invented on September 11, 2001. Many countries, including my own, have been its victim for decades. On that day, the world’s most powerful nation itself became a victim and the entire global discourse on terrorism changed as a result. No religion sanctions or sanctifies terrorism of the type we have seen in our time—the inhuman and indiscriminate killing of innocent men, women and children. It might sound unrealistic to plead for the Gandhian way in today’s world where the enemies of peace and harmony are so well armed and show no respect for life. But we have to rediscover and reinforce the value of this Gandhian approach. It is not enough to leave to civil society alone the responsibility for applying these principles to conflict situations. We, as elected representatives of our peoples, must form a coalition of conscience as it were and integrate them into the mainstream of the political process Our two countries find themselves defending pluralistic values. We learn from each other. We both have made noble constitutional commitments. We must strive to honour them in our daily policies and practices. We must find the wisdom to sustain the institutions to carry all sections of society. III Madam Speaker, Rapid economic growth is transforming our two countries. Let that proceed apace but in a manner that is both equitable and sustainable. Globalisation presents numerous opportunities to countries such as ours. But it also presents numerous risks. These have to be managed. Those who reap its gains are not always those who have to suffer its ill effects. Countries like South Africa and India have benefited significantly from globalization, although there are regions and communities within our own borders who have been left behind and require our urgent attention. Going beyond our bilateral confines, I am particularly glad that the welfare of Africa in its entirety is now on the agenda of the international community. We too are conscious of our responsibilities and we offer to developing nations our expertise in agriculture, in science and technology, in small-scale industry and in training and skill development. We are glad that our pharmaceutical companies have been able to contribute to the fight against HIV-AIDS through better availability of affordable drugs. India sees itself as a long-term partner in helping develop and unleash Africa’s vast human resource potential. Let me give you a specific example, Madam Speaker. Africa is the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds. India is the world’s largest cutter and polisher of these diamonds and has built a large jewelry industry. India now has a vital stake in ensuring that maximum value-addition occurs in countries such as yours which, in turn, will create substantial employment here itself. IV Madam Speaker, India’s nuclear programme which is now over a half century old has constantly and consistently focused on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Power generation has been a basic economic requirement and both in cooperation with other countries but largely through our own efforts, we have made significant strides. Throughout, we have had an impeccable record in meeting our international obligations and responsibilities on non-proliferation. Our growing requirements of energy make it important for us to embrace new technologies and seek enhanced international cooperation. Our commitment to comprehensive, universal nuclear disarmament is both long-standing and irrevocable. Acquiring nuclear weapons was a strategic compulsion for us,while tireless striving for their elimination is a matter of profound conviction. My late husband Rajiv Gandhi had presented a detailed blueprint for comprehensive, universal nuclear disarmament at the United Nations in January 1988. Since then, that blueprint has won many adherents across the globe. And it remains our vision. V Madam Speaker, The historic transition of your country from a brutal apartheid regime to a vibrant, multi-racial democracy was a befitting culmination to the 20th century-- a century of spectacular scientific advance but most fundamentally a century of decolonization and independence for scores of countries. This Parliament is a remarkable testimony to your long and courageous struggle and to the triumph of the will of your people. Almost one-third of your Parliament already comprises of women—a proportion which we are still striving to achieve in my own country. Our two countries are learning, in their own different ways, how to make Parliament not only a representative of our many identities, not only a vehicle for the empowerment of the disadvantaged but also an effective forum for the resolution of conflicts. Our governments are closely engaged on both bilateral and global matters. But I submit to you that such government-to-government ties will get immensely enriched by more frequent interactions between our legislatures. VI Madam Speaker, My visit to South Africa is an opportunity for renewal and for meeting old friends. But, alas, my trip here is all-too-short. Nevertheless, I go back conscious of the great honour you have done me. I go back with a sense of the warmth and goodwill that you have shown me and my country. Let us build on this goodwill for the benefit of our people and of the world. 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