Red Fort to Pretoria: Renewing India and South Africa's Partnership for a Changing World

The 12th Foreign Office Consultations in Pretoria offer an opportunity to strengthen a historic relationship through deeper economic engagement and closer cooperation on international affairs.

India and South Africa have a history that needs little diplomatic introduction, but their economies need considerably more commercial conversation. Nearly three decades after establishing their Strategic Partnership, the two countries have reached a point where their shared political legacy must find greater expression in contemporary economic and international cooperation. Their historical connection remains strong, but the opportunities to translate that goodwill into practical outcomes are considerably larger than what has been achieved so far.

The 12th round of India-South Africa Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), held in Pretoria on November 11, 2026, provided an opportunity to advance this relationship. Co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador David Malcomson, Acting Deputy Director General of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the discussions covered the entire spectrum of the bilateral partnership.

Trade and investment, defence and security, development cooperation, science and technology, education, counter-terrorism, cheetah conservation and cultural exchanges featured in the agenda. Both sides also discussed regional and international developments, including cooperation through multilateral institutions. The range of subjects reflects the growing breadth of their engagement and the importance both governments attach to maintaining regular institutional dialogue.

Between the memories of a shared struggle and the uncertainties of a changing world lies an opportunity to redefine what this partnership can achieve. The consultations in Pretoria have provided another step towards that objective.

From Mandela’s Red Fort Declaration to a Wider Partnership

The foundations of India-South Africa relations are deeply rooted in their shared opposition to colonialism and racial discrimination. India’s support for the anti-apartheid movement created a political bond that continued to shape bilateral relations long after South Africa attained democracy.

One moment captures the significance of this relationship particularly well. In March 1997, Nelson Mandela visited India as the first democratically elected President of South Africa and attended the country’s 50th Republic Day celebrations as chief guest. During this historic visit, the two countries signed the Red Fort Declaration, formally establishing their tactical partnership. South Africa thus became India’s first strategic partner.

The declaration transformed a relationship rooted in political solidarity into a formal framework for economic and diplomatic cooperation. Almost three decades later, its significance lies in the institutional foundation it provided and the trust that continues to support bilateral engagement.

The Foreign Office Consultations have remained an important mechanism for sustaining this relationship. The 11th round, held in New Delhi in 2022, covered political exchanges, defence, trade, agriculture, health, energy and minerals, alongside human resource development and cultural cooperation. Both sides also reviewed agreements under negotiation and agreed to expedite their finalisation.

Economic engagement received particular attention during those discussions. Bilateral trade had reached approximately USD 17 billion in 2021-22, while both countries recognised the need to diversify their commercial relationship. They also discussed cooperation through the United Nations, BRICS, IBSA and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

South Africa supported India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency, while India expressed support for South Africa’s BRICS Chairship in 2023. India also reiterated its invitation to South Africa to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The 12th consultations have retained this broad approach while providing an opportunity to take forward the institutional groundwork established earlier.

Trade and Critical Minerals Offer Considerable Scope

Trade remains one of the strongest foundations of India-South Africa relations, although its potential extends well beyond existing commercial exchanges. Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 18.01 billion in FY2024-25, demonstrating the substantial economic relationship that has developed between the two countries.

South Africa’s mineral resources and India’s growing industrial requirements offer considerable scope for expanding cooperation, particularly in critical minerals, mining and associated technologies. As India seeks to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and secure reliable supplies of essential resources, South Africa can become a fairly important economic partner.

The proposed India-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) trade arrangement could provide another significant opportunity. By potentially offering Indian businesses preferential access to a market of approximately 65 million consumers, the arrangement could help expand India’s commercial presence across southern Africa. It could also support greater investment and economic engagement between the two sides.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s September 2026 meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in New Delhi had already identified these possibilities. Held on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, the meeting covered the proposed SACU arrangement, critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure and skill development.

Both leaders reaffirmed that their relationship rested on shared historical struggles, cultural affinities and strong people-to-people connections. Modi also emphasised the importance of working together for Africa’s progress and the priorities of the Global South.

The subsequent consultations in Pretoria have provided an opportunity to carry these discussions forward. However, stronger commercial engagement will require timely progress on trade arrangements, greater institutional support and sustained participation from businesses in both countries.

Security and Technology Add New Dimensions

Defence and security have also become important elements of the bilateral agenda. Their inclusion alongside counter-terrorism in the latest consultations reflects the importance of maintaining regular dialogue on regional developments and shared security concerns.

South Africa occupies an important geographical position at the southern end of the African continent, overlooking maritime routes connecting the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. India, meanwhile, has longstanding interests in the security and stability of the Indian Ocean Region. These geographical considerations provide a basis for discussions on maritime cooperation and wider regional security.

Science and technology offer another avenue for expanding engagement. India’s experience in digital public infrastructure and technology-led public services could create opportunities for cooperation with South African institutions. Emerging technologies and skill development could also support commercial partnerships while addressing the requirements of both developing economies.

Development cooperation remains equally relevant. Both South Africa and India have an interest in ensuring that technological progress and changes in the international economic system create opportunities for developing countries rather than deepen existing inequalities. Cooperation in education and human resource development can further strengthen institutional and people-to-people connections.

An especially distinctive aspect of the relationship is cheetah conservation. South Africa transferred the first batch of 12 cheetahs to India on February 18, 2023, giving environmental cooperation a visible place in bilateral engagement. The initiative demonstrates how the partnership has gradually extended into areas beyond conventional diplomatic and economic exchanges.

A Stronger Voice for the Global South

India and South Africa share an interest in improving the representation of developing countries in international decision-making. Their engagement through BRICS, IBSA and the United Nations provides an established platform for coordinating positions on issues affecting the Global South.

Both countries have supported a more balanced international order in which developing economies enjoy a greater voice in global economic governance. Their discussions on development finance, infrastructure, food security and technology are closely connected to this broader objective.

Their cooperation also carries particular importance because India and South Africa bring different geographical positions and economic strengths to international discussions. India has an expanding role in Asian and Indian Ocean affairs, while South Africa remains an influential voice within Africa and its regional institutions. Their ability to coordinate on common concerns can strengthen the representation of developing countries in multilateral forums.

However, their international cooperation will create genuine consequences when supported by tangible bilateral achievements. Progress in trade, investment and development partnerships would provide a stronger foundation for their shared positions on global economic issues.

2027: An Opportunity to Give the Partnership Fresh Direction

The timing of the 12th Foreign Office Consultations is particularly significant because 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership. The milestone offers an opportunity to review the relationship’s achievements and establish priorities for its next phase.

Three decades of engagement have created a foundation of political trust and institutional cooperation. The anniversary should therefore provide an occasion to move beyond commemorative diplomacy and establish measurable objectives across trade, critical minerals, defence cooperation and technology.

The proposed India-SACU trade arrangement deserves particular attention, given its potential to expand commercial access across southern Africa. Greater cooperation in mining and infrastructure could also strengthen the economic relationship, while collaboration in education and skill development would help deepen connections between the two societies.

The decision to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in India, at a mutually convenient date, reflects the intention to maintain institutional continuity. India and South Africa have a relationship whose foundations were established through historical solidarity, but whose future will depend largely on the opportunities they create together.

The most enduring tribute to a shared history would be to ensure that future generations inherit not merely its memories, but the opportunities it made possible. As the two countries approach the 30th anniversary of their partnership, they have an opportunity to give that history a more substantial economic and international purpose.