South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Prof. Anil Sooklal, highlighted the significance of the proposed SACU-India Free Trade Agreement in enhancing trade and investment between the regions. This agreement marks the first of its kind between India and a regional bloc in Africa, involving five SACU member countries. Both sides are committed to fast-tracking discussions to strengthen economic ties.
The trade and investment relationship between India and South Africa have been substantial, with South Africa being India’s largest trading partner in Africa and India ranking as South Africa’s fourth-largest globally. Bilateral trade currently stands at around $20 billion, representing a significant portion of India’s total trade with Africa.
High Commissioner Sooklal noted the recent participation of South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, in the CII India–Africa Conclave. Minister Tau engaged in discussions with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, he praised India’s role in advocating for the Global South’s interests on the global stage.
India’s leadership in the Global South was underscored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, which led to the African Union becoming a full member of the G20. The High Commissioner also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) cooperation in addressing global governance issues, including a focus on Artificial Intelligence.
Addressing the recent G20 Summit in South Africa, High Commissioner Sooklal emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling global challenges. He commended India’s principled stance against US tariff pressures, emphasizing the need to resist unfair unilateral measures. The upcoming AI Summit in India was also highlighted as a significant platform for global discussions on AI governance and cooperation.
