India and South Africa have reviewed their Strategic Partnership and explored ways to expand cooperation across trade, defence, technology, security and other key sectors during the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations in Pretoria…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The consultations were held on Wednesday, with both sides reviewing the full range of bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and global developments, including cooperation in multilateral forums.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), discussions covered high-level exchanges, institutional mechanisms, trade and investment, defence and security, development partnership, science and technology, education, counter-terrorism, cheetah conservation, culture and people-to-people ties.
The Indian delegation was led by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the MEA, while the South African delegation was headed by Ambassador David Malcomson, Acting Deputy Director General of the Directorate of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The MEA said India and South Africa share historically close and friendly relations, supported by regular high-level visits and exchanges.
The year 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, offering an opportunity to further strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation, it added.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership and agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in India on a mutually convenient date.
Earlier in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and global issues of mutual interest.
The MEA said the relationship was rooted in shared historical struggles, cultural affinities, strong economic ties and people-to-people connections.
Following the meeting, Modi said the two countries would work together for Africa’s progress, the priorities of the Global South and a more balanced global order.
In a post on X, Modi said discussions covered the India-SACU trade agreement, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies and skill development.
“Our partnership is rooted in history and firmly focused on the future,” he said.
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