New Delhi, June 10: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and South Africa's ruling African National Congress chief Jacob Zuma on Tuesday signed a pact for enhancing political exchanges between two of the oldest political parties in the world.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed after talks between top functionaries of the ANC and the Indian National Congress at Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence here.

Zuma discussed a host of bilateral issues, including the strengthening of strategic and economic ties between the two countries, with Gandhi, who also leads India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Zuma, who is likely to succeed President Thabo Mbeki as head of state after national elections next year, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and discussed the intensification of political and economic ties between the two countries.

He arrived here on Sunday on a four-day visit, his first trip to India after he won the race for the leadership of the ANC in December.

Zuma, a former vice-president of South Africa, leaves for Mumbai on Tuesday evening where he will address top business leaders.

India and South Africa are likely to double bilateral trade in the next two years. Their current trade is estimated at $5 billion.

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