South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, views the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) as a chance to enhance economic ties with India. He highlighted sectors like pharmaceuticals, green energy, IT, and agriculture for potential collaboration. Sooklal emphasized the importance of intensifying and expanding relations between Africa and India through the summit.
India’s prominence in the pharmaceutical industry was noted by Sooklal, who sees an opportunity for partnership in this sector. He also mentioned green energy as a key area for cooperation, citing India’s initiatives in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy. Sooklal expressed interest in further collaboration with India, especially in the green energy domain.
In terms of industrial cooperation, Sooklal mentioned the presence of Indian companies in South Africa and expressed a desire for deeper engagement. He highlighted the potential for trade synergies between India and Africa, emphasizing the benefits of strengthening economic ties. Sooklal also praised India’s digital advancements and suggested that Africa could achieve similar progress.
Sooklal underscored the contrast in agriculture between India and Africa, pointing out India’s self-sufficiency despite having a large population. He identified opportunities for South Africa to enhance its infrastructure, particularly in ports and highways, through collaboration with India. The envoy emphasized the mutual benefits of deepening the relationship between India and Africa.
