Visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday described his country's relationship with India as 'very important' saying the 'strategic partnership' needs to be expanded further.

"I want to strengthen bilateral relations as our relationship with India is very important. We need to look at what more should be done in the strategic partnership," he said after being accorded ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, "There is already cooperation with South Africa on many vital matters and during the visit we will discuss on how to further strengthen bilateral relations."

Mbeki, who is heading a high-powered delegation and is accompanied by his wife Zanele, said, "We are very happy indeed to be in India. Your prime minister just reminded me that it is coming after many years."

President A P J Abdul Kalam, the prime minister and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha received Mbeki, besides senior officials and diplomats.

Mbeki inspected an inter-services guard of honour and was given a 21-gun salute.

The South African leader, who arrived on Wednesday on a five-day visit to the country, will hold talks with Vajpayee on bilateral relations, besides exchanging views on major regional and international developments.

During his stay, India and South Africa will sign four accords relating to extradition, mutual legal assistance and cooperation in power sector and culture.

The two sides will also negotiate agreements on framework preferential trade, bilateral investment protection and promotion, cooperation in health and medicine, maritime transport and hydrocarbons.

Mbeki's delegation includes 11 ministers. Mbeki had last visited India in 1996 as deputy president.