South African President To Be 2019 Republic Day Chief Guest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, December 1 met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on sidelines of G-20 summit in Bues Aires and invited him to be Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations 2019, which also marks 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. South African leer accepted invitation to grace occasion.

“Gl to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our hour to welcome President Ramaphosa as Chief Guest for 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapu’s close link with South Africa is well kwn,” Modi tweeted after meeting.

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He said Ramaphosa’s visit to India will furr cement bilateral ties between two countries.

“ upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during special occasion of India’s Republic Day will furr cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa,” Modi tweeted.

Following meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa, external affairs ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, “150 years of Mahatma & 100 years of Miba!” Kumar furr tweeted, “Good meeting between PM @narendramodi & South Africa President @CyrilRamaphosa on margins of #G20Summit. President Ramaphosa accepted India’s invitation to be Chief Guest at Republic Day during 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.” 

He was referring to July 18, 2018, which marks 100 years since birth of global icon Nelson Mandela, also popularly kwn as Miba, who died in 2013 at of 95.