India, South Africa Deepen Economic Ties with Focus on Trade, Investment and Infrastructure

South African Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, digital technology, and small business development, underscoring the growing economic dimension of India-Africa relations.

During the delegation-level discussions in New Delhi, both leaders reviewed avenues to expand commercial engagement and agreed that India and South Africa should work closely in international forums to advance shared interests.

Mashatile, who is on a six-day visit to India accompanied by his wife Humile Mashatile and a high-level delegation of ministers and deputy ministers, said the two countries had agreed to broaden their partnership, particularly in the economic sphere. His visit seeks to promote South Africa as an attractive investment destination while enhancing bilateral trade ties.

The South African Deputy President also met Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan , with both sides highlighting the importance of historical, cultural, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. Mashatile emphasized the need to leverage shared values to promote peace, equality, and fairness in global institutions.

At a business interaction hosted by Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney , Mashatile reiterated South Africa’s interest in expediting the proposed India–SACU Free Trade Agreement , which is expected to boost trade and economic cooperation across Southern Africa.

The discussions reflected a broader trend in India-Africa engagement, where ties are increasingly being driven by trade, infrastructure development, investment opportunities, and economic partnerships . With growing cooperation through platforms such as BRICS and expanding bilateral commerce, both countries signaled their commitment to deepening a relationship rooted in historical solidarity and increasingly focused on shared economic growth.