By: News Nine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa held a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, with both leaders emphasizing the need to deepen bilateral cooperation. PM Modi described the interaction as an "excellent meeting," during which the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of their countries' strategic partnership. The discussions were centered on identifying new avenues to boost collaboration, with a particular focus on commerce, culture, technology, and innovation.

The talks, characterized by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs as "warm and productive," covered a diverse range of critical sectors. Key areas of discussion included trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, skill development, and food security. This broad agenda reflects the comprehensive nature of the modern India-South Africa relationship, moving beyond traditional diplomacy to encompass future-oriented economic and technological fields.

A significant part of the conversation focused on strengthening economic ties. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress in investment flows and welcomed the growing footprint of Indian companies in South Africa. They agreed on the importance of facilitating greater mutual investment, with Indian investments in the country already exceeding $1.3 billion across sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, automotive, banking, and mining.

The leaders also highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and youth exchanges. They explored various avenues to strengthen these ties, which form a crucial foundation for the long-term strategic partnership. Additionally, PM Modi thanked President Ramaphosa for South Africa's support in relocating cheetahs to India and invited him to join the International Big Cat Alliance.

The context of the G20 Summit provided a important backdrop for the meeting. PM Modi lauded South Africa's successful presidency of the forum and its efforts to advance outcomes from the previous summit held in New Delhi. This year's summit is historic as it is the first G20 Leaders' Meeting hosted on African soil, following the African Union's accession to the grouping under India's presidency in 2023.

Both leaders affirmed their shared interest in amplifying the voices of the Global South on the international stage. They also agreed to collaborate closely under India’s upcoming BRICS Chairship in 2026, indicating a continued and coordinated approach within multilateral forums to advocate for the interests of developing nations.

The robust trade relationship between the two countries was underscored, with South Africa remaining India’s largest trading partner in Africa. Bilateral trade reached a significant $19.25 billion in the 2023–24 period, cementing a strong economic foundation upon which the newly discussed areas of cooperation can be built.