
"We condemn use of terror", says South Africa Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen
Cape Town [South Africa], May 29 (ANI): John Steenhuisen, Federal Leader and Minister of Agriculture of South Africa, on Wednesday (local time) extended support to India in its fight against terrorism and said that it is important for democracies to stand together, united against terror.
'India bought a very important message to South Africa today. We condemn the use of terror anywhere in the world, and it is important for democracies to stand together, united against terror... Any measures to counter terrorism need to be welcomed. As democracies, we need to find ways to combat terror globally... India is a very important strategic partner for South Africa as both are members of the BRICS,' John Steenhuisen told reporters.
Steenhuisen's comment came after a meeting with the NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule-led delegation in Cape Town.
Speaking to ANI after the meeting, Supriya Sule said, 'We held detailed discussions. They promised to stand with India. The G-20 Summit is going to be held here. India has deep bilateral relations with South Africa.'
Earlier in the day, Sule-led delegation held talks with Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) of South Africa along with Members of the Parliament of South Africa and conveyed India's stance on combating terrorism.
The delegation members explained the background of terrorist attacks in India, including the April 22 Phalgam terror attack.
In a post on X, India's High Commission in Pretoria stated, 'Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Province (NCOP) of South Africa, P (Les) Govender, along with other Members of the Parliament of South Africa, met All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, MPs from India at the National Council of Provinces of South Africa. Delegation members explained the background of terrorist incidents in India, including the Pahalgam Attack, and conveyed India's united message of Zero tolerance for terrorism.'
The members of the delegation are Members of Parliament Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent. Representative of India to the UN. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mint
17 minutes ago
- Mint
Omar Abdullah shares glimpses of Chenab bridge a day before inauguration by PM Modi
A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir to flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared glimpses of 'tallest railway bridge in the world' – The Chenab bridge. Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge and reviewed arrangements for the visit of PM Modi on Thursday. Taking to X, the Jammu and Kashmir CM wrote, 'Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the Hon PM.' He also shared multiple images and videos of the Chenab bridge. Along with Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Omar Abdullah also inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train, which will be flagged off by PM Modi on Friday. He said, as quoted by ANI, "If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. But, better late than PM will inaugurate the Vande Bharat services and it will benefit highway gets blocked, the airlines start selling tickets of ₹ 5,000 for ₹ 20,000, such issues will be solved from now on." "This project has set many records. The Chenab Bridge is higher than the Eiffel Tower. Anji Khad Bridge is the longest cable-stayed railway bridge in the country. There are many tunnels between Katra and Banihal. The project will be boost for economy and tourism. Now it will take 4 hours from Srinagar to Katra. We will ensure successful Amarnath Yatra," he added. The world's tallest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, stands 359 meters above mean sea level. It will connect Jammu and Srinagar. At an estimated cost of over ₹ 43,000 crore, the USBRL project involved laying out ballastless tracks over bridges and tunnels, spanning deep gorges. Ninety per cent of the route was traversed over 943 bridges and 36 main tunnels, including India's longest railway tunnel, T-50, which stretched more than 12.7 km. Also, on the Katra-Banihal section, the Vande Bharat train will also traverse another engineering marvel: the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge. Supported by 96 cables, the 725-meter-long bridge stands 331 meters above mean sea level.


India Gazette
34 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Saudi Arabia: Indian pilgrims perform Wuquf-e-Arafat
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], June 5 (ANI): Indian pilgrims joined millions of others in Saudi Arabia today to perform Wuquf-e-Arafat, the core ritual of Hajj pilgrimage, the Embassy of India in Riyadh shared on Thursday. The Indian Embassy wrote on X, 'Indian pilgrims join millions of other pilgrims today at Arafat to perform Wuquf-e-Arafat, the core ritual of Haj.' In a video message, Consul General Fahad Suri said, 'On this blessed day of Arafat, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the pilgrims gathered in Arafat, the pinnacle of the Hajj journey. These five sacred days spent in Meena, Arafat and Muzalifa are a time of deep reflection and devotion and form the core elements of Hajj. I am pleased to share that all pilgrims from India have safely arrived in Arafat and are currently engaged in prayers and supplications. Comprehensive arrangements have been made by Indian Hajj Mission in coordination with concerned Saudi authorities and agencies for the safe and smooth movement of pilgrims right from their transfer to Arafat, their stay here and further movements for Musalifa and Mina. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its authorities, particularly the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, all concerned agencies and all service providers for their tireless efforts in facilitating a safe and spiritually fulfilling Hajj. Wishing all of you a successful Hajj and a blessed Eid-ul-Adha. Hajj ma brur, hajj ma bruk, Eid Mubarak.' India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy close friendly relations reflecting the centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. The annual Hajj pilgrimage is an important component of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations. During PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, the MEA noted in a previous statement that the Indian side had expressed its appreciation to the Saudi side for the continuing welfare of around 2.7 million Indian nationals residing in the Kingdom, reflecting the strong people- to-people bonds and immense goodwill that exists between the two nations. The Indian side also congratulated Saudi Arabia for successfully holding the Haj pilgrimage in 2024 and expressed its appreciation for the excellent coordination between the two countries in facilitating Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims. (ANI)


India Gazette
34 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov arrives in Delhi to participate in India- Central Asia Dialogue
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, arrived in Delhi on Thursday to take part in Central Asia Dialogue and the meeting of India -Central Asia Business Council. Details of his arrival were also shared by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X. Earlier in the day, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and Zheenbek Kulubaev, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic also arrived in New Delhi to participate in the fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue. The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in Samarkand in 2019, is a key ministerial platform aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The earlier editions of the Dialogue have focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and economic cooperation. This year's meeting is expected to build on those priorities, with discussions on trade, infrastructure, technology, and joint development initiatives. India shares centuries-old cultural and historical connections with the Central Asian region. Buddhism spread from India through Tibet to Central Asia, leaving a spiritual legacy visible at key sites such as Kara Tepe, Fayaz Tepe, and Adzhina Tepe. Indian monks helped translate scriptures and establish monasteries across the region, forming the early basis of engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to all five Central Asian nations in 2015 gave a major boost to the India- Central Asia ties. His participation in successive Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits in Tashkent, Bishkek, and Samarkand further reinforced India's outreach. The first India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually in January 2022 and attended by the Presidents of all five nations, led to the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, institutionalising biennial summits and regular ministerial dialogues. (ANI)