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Brief on India - South Africa Relations
India’s links with the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa date back to the period during which Mahatma Gandhi started his Satyagraha movement in South Africa over a century ago. India was also at the forefront of the international community in its support to the anti-apartheid movement; it was the first country to sever trade relations with the apartheid Government (in 1946) and subsequently imposed a complete - diplomatic, commercial, cultural and sports - embargo on South Africa. India worked consistently to put the issue of apartheid on the agenda of the UN, NAM and other multilateral organizations and for the imposition of comprehensive international sanctions against South Africa. The ANC maintained a representative office in New Delhi from the 1960s onward. India actively worked for the AFRICA Fund to sustain the struggle through support to the frontline countries. Nelson Mandela was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharata Ratna, for his role in anti-apartheid movement.
Following talks between the then South African Government and the ANC, India’s relations with South Africa were restored after a gap of over four decades with the opening of a Cultural Centre in Johannesburg in May 1993. An Agreement establishing full diplomatic and consular relations with South Africa was signed on 22 November 1993 during the visit of the then South African Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, to India. A Consulate General was thereafter established in Johannesburg. The Indian High Commission in Pretoria was opened in May 1994, followed by the opening of the Consulate General in Durban the same month. Since Parliament in South Africa meets in Cape Town, a permanent office of the High Commission was opened there in 1996, which has been re-designated as Consulate General of India with effect from January 2011. South Africa established its High Commission in Delhi and opened a Consulate General in Mumbai in April 1994.
India and South Africa signed a Strategic Partnership agreement in March 1997 during the visit of President Nelson Mandela to India called the Red Fort Declaration, thus making South Africa India’s first strategic partner. The year 2023 marked 30 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations with South Africa. Against the background of India’s consistent support to the anti-apartheid struggle, there has been a steady consolidation of close and friendly ties with South Africa, both bilaterally and through BRICS, IBSA and other fora. A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded between the two countries since the assumption of diplomatic relations in diverse areas ranging from economic and commercial cooperation, defence, culture, heath, human settlements, public administration and science and technology. India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) has been a useful medium of promoting cooperation in development of human resources.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited South Africa from 22-24 August 2023 to participate in the 15th BRICS Summit and in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue. Prime Minister also had a bilateral meeting with met H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa on 23 August in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa on 03 August 2023, inter alia, to assess the progress in bilateral cooperation, including in the context of the 30th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. The two leaders also had a telephone conversation on 10 June 2023 wherein the leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Modi met South African President Ramaphosa in Germany on the sidelines of G7 Summit on 27 June 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Page 2 of 8 President Ramaphosa on 17 April 2020 and on 4 February 2021 on COVID-19 cooperation. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to South Africa to participate in the 10th BRICS Summit on 25-27 July 2018 and a bilateral visit to South Africa from 7-9 July 2016.
President Ramaphosa undertook a working visit to New Delhi to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 9-10 September 2023. Earlier, President Ramaphosa paid a State Visit to India on 25-26 January 2019 and was the Chief Guest at the 70th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2019 in New Delhi. South African President Jacob Zuma attended the 8 th BRICS Summit in Goa, India on 15-16 October 2016. President Zuma also led a South African delegation to India for the 3 rd India-Africa Forum Summit from 27-29 October 2015.
EAM, Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on 20-21 February 2025. On the sidelines of G20 FMM, EAM called on South African President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa. EAM held a telephonic conversation with SA Foreign Minister, Mr Ronald Lamola on 08 October 2024. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar represented India at the virtual BRICS Extraordinary Joint Meeting on the Middle East situation in Gaza convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa as Chair of the BRICS group of nations, on 21 November 2023. Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa represented South Africa at the virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit on 22 November 2023. Minister Pandor interacted with EAM as part of the IBSA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 22 September 2023 the sidelines of 78th UnGA in New York. EAM visited Cape Town, South Africa from 31 May to 4 June 2023 to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 1-2 June 2023. On the sidelines, EAM called on President Cyril Ramaphosa, held bilateral meetings with his counterparts, Dr. Naledi Pandor, among others and interacted with the Indian community. Earlier, EAM Dr Jaishankar, on 1 March 2023, met with H.E. Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa during the latter’s visit to India from 1-4 March 2023 to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (1-2 March) and participate in the Raisina Dialogue (3-4 March) both held in New Delhi.
Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia met SA Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Solomon Malatsi on 14 October 2024 in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the 5 th Global Standards Symposium. Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada met SA Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi on 24 October 2024 in Brazil, on the sidelines of G20 Trade & Investment Ministers’ Meeting. Minister of State for Education, Shri Sukanta Majumdar met SA Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube on 30 October 2024 in Brazil, on the sidelines of G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting. Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi held a virtual meeting with SA Minister of Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga in November 2024. Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met SA Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton Mckenzie on 09 November 2024 in Brazil, on the sidelines of G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting. Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ms. Shobha karandlaje met SA Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Raesetija Jane Sithole on 27 November 2024 in New Delhi, during the latter’s visit to India to participate in the International Cooperative Alliance Global Cooperative Conference. Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met SA Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille on 02 December 2024 in New Delhi, during the latter’s official visit to India.
During the India’s G20 Presidency, Minister of Finance of South Africa, Mr. Enoch Godongwana attended the 1 st Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings (FMCBG) on 24-25 February in Bengaluru and 2nd FMCBG on 12-13 April in Washington DC and 3 rd FMCBG Meeting on 17-18 July in Gandhinagar; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa, Mr. Mcebisi Skwatsha, attended the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting on 17 June 2023 in Hyderabad; Minister of Tourism of South Africa, Ms Patricia de Lille, attended the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting on 21-22 June 2023 in Goa; Minister of Basic Education of South Africa, Mrs Matsie Angelina Motshekga participated in the G20 Education Ministers Meeting on 22 June 2023 in Pune; Minister of Labour and Employment of South Africa, Mr. TW Nxesi, attended G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting on 21 July in Indore; Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, attended the Energy Ministers Meeting on 22 July in Goa; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries Page 3 of 8 and the Environment of South Africa, Ms Barbara Creecy participate in the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministers Meeting on 28 July 2023 in Chennai; Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration of South Africa, Dr. Chana Pilane Majeke, participated in the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting on 12 August 2023 in Kolkata; Minister of Health of South Africa, Dr Joe Phaahla attended the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting on 18-19 August 2023 in Gandhinagar; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa, Mr. Mondli Gungubele, attending the Digital Economy Ministers Meeting on 19 August 2023 in Bengaluru; and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, attended the Trade & Investment Ministers Meeting on 24-25 August in Jaipur.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr. Alvin Botes, participated in the virtual Foreign Ministers’ Session-II ‘Global South and Global Governance’ and Acting Director-General, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Malebo Mabitje-Thompson, in Commerce/Trade Ministers’ Session ‘Perspectives from Global South’ of the 3 rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 August 2024. Earlier, Minister Botes had participated in the virtual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the 2nd VOGSS held on 17 November 2023.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, visited India from 21-24 February 2024 to represent South Africa at the Raisina Dialogue 2024 held in New Delhi and delivered a statement under the theme ‘South Rising, Institutionalizing a South First Approach at G20’. On the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, the Deputy Minister, on 22 February, held a bilateral meeting with Minister of State for External Affairs, Ms Meenakshi Lekhi. and the Ministers reviewed the gamut of the bilateral relations, and on 23 February, met with senior management of Motherson Automotive Technologies and Engineering in Uttar Pradesh.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameswar Teli visited South Africa to attend the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) held from 28-29 September 2023 and met with South African Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on the sidelines of the LEMM.
Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser, led a delegation to attend BRICS NSA Meeting and Friends of BRICS Meetings on 24-25 July 2023 in Sandton, Johannesburg.
A 3-member delegation led by Ms. Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for Culture visited Mpumalanga, South Africa from 19-22 July 2023 to attend the BRICS Minister of Culture Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting. During her visit, the MoS also participated in a yoga event and a community event in Johannesburg.
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for Education & External Affairs visited South Africa from 11-14 July 2023 to participate in the 10th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
An Indian delegation led by Hon’ble Minister of State for Mines, Coal and Railways, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve, visited South Africa from 3-10 February 2023 to attend Ministerial Symposium at Investing in African Mining Indaba on 4 February 2023 and ‘Mining Indaba Summit-2023’ held at Cape Town from 6-8 February 2023. Post Cape Town visit, the Hon’ble Minister visited Johannesburg from 9-10 February 2023.
A 9-member all party Parliamentary delegation visited South Africa from 27-30 May 2025. The delegation held meetings with the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Portfolio Committee on International Relations & Cooperation and leaders of African National Congress party & Democratic Alliance party.
Exchanges between the Parliaments are another dimension in our bilateral dimensions. A 12-member South African Parliamentary delegation, including Ms. Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker Page 4 of 8 of the National Assembly, Mr. Nkosiyakhe Amos Masondo, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, visited India for the 9th P20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit held in New Delhi from 12-14 October 2023. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh led a Parliamentary delegation comprising MPs Sumitra Balmiki and Indra Hung Subba to South Africa and participated in the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Johannesburg from 27-29 September 2023. The Deputy Chairman also chaired a session on ‘Climate Change and Legislative Mobilisation in BRICS Countries’. A six-member delegation of Human Settlements Portfolio Committee of the Gauteng Legislature visited Delhi for an international study tour from 23-27 February 2023; the visit was facilitated by the UN Habit country office in India. A 10-member delegation from the South African Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) visited India from 30 January to 3 February 2023 to undertake a study tour.
The India-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers was set up in 1994. On 17 January 2020, India hosted the 10th India-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission.
The 10th session of Foreign Office Consultations (FoCs) was held in Pretoria on 3 October 2019 and the 11th session of India-South Africa FoCs on 3 August 2022 in New Delhi.
The Defence Cooperation between India and South Africa officially commenced in 1996 with the signing of an MoU on “Cooperation in the field of Defence Equipment” which was further revised by an MoU on “Defence Cooperation” in 2000. Consequently, an India-South Africa Joint Defence Committee (JDC) co-chaired by the Defence Secretaries of both countries was instituted, with eight editions of the same held till date, last edition held from 5-7 December 2017.
Both countries also regularly exchange high level military delegations to enhance military cooperation between the two countries. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Adr Force visited South Africa at the invitation from Lieutenant General W.S. Mbabmo, Chief of South African Air Force from 05-10 May 2024. Eight defence Public Sector Undertakings and two private Indian companies including Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Indian Optel Ltd., Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Goa Shipyard Ltd., Bharat Electronics Ltd., HAL, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and SMPP, participated in the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo held in Pretoria from 18-22 September 2024.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari visited South Africa at the invitation from Chief of South African Air Force, Lieutenant General W S Mbabmo from 05-10 May 2024.
An MoU on Submarine Rescue Cooperation and Coordination was signed in August 2024, thus enabling the SA Navy submarines to operate at sea, with the assurance of rescue support, if the need so arises in emergency.
A 5-member delegation led by Mr. Bantu Holomisa, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is visiting India for the Aero India 2025 from 10-14 Feb 2025. A South African defence delegation led by Ms. Thandi Ruth Modise, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans visited India from 18-22 October 2022 in connection with DefExpo 2022 at Gandhinbagar and on the sidelines of DefExpo, the delegation also attended India-Africa Defence Dialogue and Indian Ocean Region Defence Ministers’ Conclave. Visit of SA Chief of Army Lt. Gen. L.K. Mbatha took place in August 2022 and that of SA Air Force Chief, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo was held in November 2021. The maiden India-South Africa Defence Industry Webinar was held on 20 Sep 2020. South Africa also deployed SA Navy’s Liaison Officers at Information Fusion Center - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) of Indian Navy from April 2022 onwards.
Indian Naval Ships (INS) regularly make port calls to South African ports. INSV Tarini visited Cape Town from 31 March - 15 April 2025 for the final leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II Expedition. INS Tushil visited Port Durban from 29 Jan to 01 Feb 2025, as part of ongoing operational deployment Page 5 of 8 during its maiden voyage to India. INS Talwar visited Cape Town from 7-18 October 2024 to participate in the 8th edition of India, Brazil and South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR). INS Trishul visited Durban from 06-10 June 2023 to strengthen bilateral relations in the 30th year of diplomatic ties between both the countries and INS Sunayna visited Durban from 21-25 August 2023 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Pietermaritzburg Railway Station incident, the birth of Satyagraha.
SA Navy also participated in the MILAN exercises held in India on 18-27 February 2024 and earlier in February/March 2022. South African Navy’s teams participated in Admiral’s Cup Regatta in 2019.
To address the shortage of skills among South Africans which is a national priority of the Government of South Africa, an MoU on the setting up of the “Gandhi-Mandela Centre of Specialisation for Artisan Skills”(GMCoS) in South Africa was signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to South Africa in July 2018. The Centre, with the collaboration of Hindustan Machine Tools Limited (HMTL) offers technical expertise, training material, machines and equipment as well as interactive ICT equipment for video conferencing in a multi-skills formation comprising of four skills: mechanical fitter, electrician, boilermaker and millwright for all of which there is demand in South Africa. The soft launch of the Gandhi-Mandela Centre of Specialisation for Artisan Skills took place in Pretoria on 8 October 2018 in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Naledi Pandor. The GMCoS was officially launched in Pretoria on 28 October 2021 in presence of Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mr. Buti Manamela and High Commissioner Mr. Jaideep Sarkar.
A fully-funded specialized two-week ITEC Media Training Programme on Journalism and Public Relations has been organized in two cities – Hyderabad and Delhi - from 26 February to 9 March 2024 for 30 South African professionals. Familiarization visit of journalists from Indo-Pacific region was organized by XPD Division from 18-27 August 2024. One (1) journalist from South Africa attended the visit. Familiarization visit of journalists from East & Southern Africa region was organized by XPD Division from 12-18 December 2024. Two (2) journalists from South Africa attended the visit. Familiarization visit of social media influencers/content creators was organized by XPD Division from 7-16 January 2025 on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Three (3) social media influencers/content creators from South Africa attended the visit.
An MoU on Cooperation in the Reintroduction of Cheetah in India was signed between the Republic of India and the Republic of South Africa on 17 January 2023. The MoU facilitates cooperation between the two countries, inter alia, to establish a viable and secure cheetah population in India. A first batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) were translocated from South Africa to India on 18th February 2023.
Commercial relations have flourished since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993. Recent bilateral trade figures are as follows:
|
Figures in million US$ |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|
India’s Exports |
4,108.17 |
3,934.20 |
6,085.29 |
8,474.42 |
8,707.53 |
|
India’s Imports |
6,969.79 |
7,570.79 |
10,965.81 |
10,397.83 |
10,538.23 |
|
Total Trade |
11,077.97 |
11,504.99 |
17,051.10 |
18,872.25 |
19,245.76 |
Source: Ministry of Commerce, India
Major Indian exports to South Africa include vehicles and components, transport equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, footwear, dyes and intermediates, chemicals, textiles, rice, and gems and jewellery etc. Major Indian imports from South Africa include gold, steam coal, copper ores & concentrates, phosphoric acid, manganese ore, aluminum ingots & other minerals. India on 10 April 2020 facilitated the export of about 25 Million tablets of Paracetamol and 0.5 Million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine (200mg) to South Africa.Major Indian exports to South Africa include vehicles and components, transport equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, footwear, dyes and intermediates, chemicals, textiles, rice, and gems and jewellery etc. Major Indian imports from South Africa include gold, steam coal, copper ores & concentrates, phosphoric acid, manganese ore, aluminum ingots & other minerals. India on 10 April Page 6 of 8 2020 facilitated the export of about 25 Million tablets of Paracetamol and 0.5 Million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine (200mg) to South Africa.
The 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment between India and South Africa was held on 22 April 2025 in Pretoria. The Indian delegation was led by Ms. Priya Nair, Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India and the South African delegation was led by Mr Malose Letsoalo, Chief Director-Bilateral Relations, Department of Trade, Industry & Competition. The meeting discussed bilateral issues, inter alia, export promotion, investment promotion, market access of plant and animal products, SACU-India PTA. The JWG meeting concluded with the signing of minutes by both parties.
High Commission of India hosted the India-South Africa Business Conclave in Pretoria on 10 March 2025. The event witnessed the participation of more than 200 entrepreneurs from India and South Africa. An MoU on business cooperation was signed between the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and the CII India Business Forum at the Conclave. Prominent business leaders from large corporates and experts from leading business schools participated as panelists in the panel discussions held on topics including Economics, Defence, Automotive, Banking, IT, Pharmaceutical and FMCG & tourism.
The India-Business Forum South Africa (IBF SA) in association with the High Commission of India in Pretoria and the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg, on 19 August 2023, organized its Annual General Meeting wherein, inter alia, Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary(ER), Shri Prabhat Kumar, High Commissioner of India to South Africa and Lesotho, and Mr. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). briefed the business community on the opportunities.
A seminar titled “India-South Africa Connect: Global visions meet digital realities” was organized at Johannesburg Business School on 29 February 2024 where Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India, remarked on ‘India’s Remarkable Economic Growth Story’. Two panel discussions on ‘The Digital Payments Revolution in India and possible areas of cooperation with South Africa’ and ‘A South African Perspective on Inevitable India’ were held.
To explore additional areas of cooperation for growth of bilateral trade and investment, the India-South Africa Business Summit (ISABS) 2018 was held in Sandton, Johannesburg from 29-30 April, 2018. The Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Minister (CIM) of India, Shri Suresh Prabhu led the Indian delegation for this Summit. Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Public Enterprises Mr Pravin Gordhan, and Minister of Small Business Enterprises Ms Lindiwe Zulu represented the South African Government at the Summit. The Premier of Gauteng province, Mr David Makhura, also participated in the event. An Invest in India Business Forum (IIBF) was held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 12-13 November 2018 to follow-up on the ISABS 2018, the visit of the Minister of Food Processing Industries to South Africa in June 2018 and to familiarize the potential South African investors with the investment and business friendly India. South African Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Bulelani Magwanishe, visited India from 25-26 June 2018 on an investment mission to India.
The 2nd India-South Africa Joint Working Group Meeting on Information, Communications and Technology was held in Pretoria on 27-28 March 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Alfred Mashishi, Deputy Director General, Department of Communications & Digital Technologies, Government of South Africa and Mr. Sanket S Bhondve, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India.
A high-level 25-member delegation from South Africa led by Director General, Department of Communications & Digital Technology visited New Delhi and Bengaluru from 1-7 December 2024 to learn about India’s excellence & expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure, Digital Payment Platforms, IT etc. and to explore possibilities for collaboration in these areas.
A virtual telecast of the International Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) was arranged by the High Commission of India in Pretoria on 22 September 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria. Representatives from the South African Departments of Labour & Employment, and Communications & Digital Technologies, and financial institutions viz. SBI, EXIM Bank and Dentons, attended the event.
The 3rd India-South Africa CEOs forum was held on 8 July 2016 in Pretoria during the visit of Prime Minister of India to South Africa. During the meeting of the India-South Africa CEO’s Forum, 8 MoUs were signed. The fourth meeting was held in Sandton, Johannesburg in the margins of the India-South Africa Business Summit from 29-30 April 2018.
India and South Africa signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology on 19 July 1995 and cooperation in Science and Technology between the two countries has flourished and continues to grow. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Hon. Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, accompanied by a delegation of senior officials and scientists, paid an official visit to South Africa and participated in a series of events organized in Cape Town and Durban from 4-6 October 2017 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of India-South Africa Cooperation in Science & Technology. The Agreement was renewed for a further period of three years during the visit of Minister of Science & Technology to SA in October 2017. 13th Joint Committee Meeting on S&T & Innovation Cooperation between India & South Africa held on 12 July 2023 in Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi
With the help of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an intensive programme of cultural exchanges is organised throughout South Africa including scholarships for South African nationals. High Commission of India in Pretoria (HCI Pretoria) and CGI Durban in association with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized a 2-day International Yoga Conference on ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ on 27-28 June 2024 in Durban, which saw participation from yoga experts from African countries, including Tanzania, Egypt and several provinces of South Africa. International Day of Yoga 2024 (IDY 2024) was celebrated in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and the events saw participation from representatives from diplomatic corps, Indian diaspora, Indian companies, yoga schools, students, officials of the High Commission among others. The IDY 2024 event in Johannesburg was historic which witnessed around 8000 participants, the highest in South Africa and the African continent. HCI Pretoria in association with diplomatic Missions of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal as well as UN Resident Coordinator Office organized International Mother Language Day (Matram-V) on 24 February 2024 at the Chancery. A 12-member ICCR Bhangra troupe “Indian Traditional Performing Art & Craft Centre” visited South Africa from 24-28 January 2025 to perform on the occasion of the Republic Day Celebrations 2025. A 8-member ICCR troupe ‘Taal Chhandam’ visited South Africa from 23-31 January 2024 and performed as well as conducted workshops in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Tongaat and Phoenix Gandhi Settlement. The troupe also interacted with local schools/ dance academy. A six-member ICCR Indo-Jazz fusion troupe, "Rajeev Raja Combine" led by Rajeev Ettan Raja visited South Africa from 7-16 December 2023 and performed at the Mpumalanga Cultural Experience and Mapungubwe Arts Festival in Mpumalanga and Limpopo as part of 30 years of establishment of Diplomatic relations celebrations. An ICCR-sponsored cultural troupe comprising 15 members of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy group led by Shri Bilash Singh Pukhrambam visited Johannesburg, South Africa from 21-25 August 2022. Activities to commemorate the 75 years of India’s Independence (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) were organized across South Africa by the Consulates and Mission which included ‘Revisiting Gandhian Trail’ following Mahatma’s footsteps for promoting peace, non-violence and harmony organized in October 2021 and International Mother Language Day ('MATARAM') in February 2023 showcasing linguistic and cultural diversity of India through cultural performances by Indian Diaspora in South Africa
Consular
The 3rd India-South Africa Joint Immigration and Consular Working Group Meeting was held in Pretoria on 22-23 May 2025. at Department of Home Affairs on 22nd May 2025. The Indian team was headed by Dr. Binoy George, JS (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs and the South African team was headed by Mr. Phindiwe Mbhele, Director (Corporate Accounts Unit, Immigration Services) in the Department of Home Affairs, Government of South Africa. Various issues on visa,immigration,consular, pending extradition cases, pending MLAT requests etc. were discussed.
Indian Community
The South African Indian origin community numbers around 1.7 million and constitutes about 3% of South Africa’s total population. About 80% of the Indian community lives in the province of KwaZulu Natal, about 15% in the Gauteng (previously Transvaal) area and the remaining 5% in Cape Town. The year 2010 marked the 150th anniversary of the first arrival of Indians in South Africa. 2014 marked 100 years of Gandhiji’s final departure to India from South Africa; he reached India on 9th Jan 1915; this date is now commemorated annually as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Hon’ble President of India on 10 January 2023 conferred on Mr. Mohanlal Hira the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2023 in the field of community welfare during the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 8-10 January 2023. So far 15 South African nationals of Indian origin have been conferred PBSA (https://pbdindia.gov.in/pbsa-awardees-prev).
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12 June 2025
