{"id":35821,"date":"2026-06-02T15:32:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/?p=35821"},"modified":"2026-06-10T09:13:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T05:13:17","slug":"south-africa-and-india-light-the-way-for-south-south-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/02\/south-africa-and-india-light-the-way-for-south-south-cooperation\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa and India Light the Way for South-South Cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From 29 May to 3 June 2026, South African Vice President Paul Mashatile undertook a state visit to India to boost trade and investment as well as advance the #GlobalSouth<\/a> agenda. VP Mashatile was accompanied by Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina, and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As two major emerging markets and developing economies (#EMDE<\/a>) in Africa and Asia respectively, South Africa and India sit together in several fora, including G20, IORA, BRICS and IBSA. As such, the South Africa – India ties could potentially serve as a beacon for South-South Cooperation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relationship is founded on a long shared history of struggle for freedom and independence. Additionally, South Africa has a large and dynamic Indian diaspora, which contributes significantly to the local economy and reinforces ties between the two countries. Both share the same diplomatic stance with regard to strategic autonomy, which is rooted in their leadership roles in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Indian EAM Jaishankar Welcomed South African VP Mashatile<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The bilateral talks focused on the following flagship initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pharma and Advanced Manufacturing Linkages. <\/strong>The two countries agreed to establish pharma and advanced manufacturing links. The South Africa industrial park ambitions to serve the Southern Africa Development Countries (SADC) bloc, and even extend to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Africa-Asia Innovation Bridge will link up innovation hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg with technology and manufacturing centers in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientific and Technological Cooperation<\/strong>. Building upon past successful cooperation on projects such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), both sides agreed to foster scientific and technological cooperation via various platforms, such as the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministerial Meeting and the South Africa Science Forum 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SME Partnership<\/strong>. Both sides will launch a partnership dedicated for #SME<\/a> by 2027. The cooperation will work to boost trade and investment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) on both sides of the Indian Ocean. Both sides agree to foster infrastructure enhancement and digital technologies in particular to give a boost to MSME in both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth Technology Skilling<\/strong>. Both countries will work to create training tracks for youth, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (#AI<\/a>) and advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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