Syllabus: GS2/ IR, GS3/ Defence
Context
- India and South Africa signed two agreements in the domain of submarine cooperation during the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Significance of Cooperation Between two Countries
- Blue‑Water Collaboration: For India’s goal to bolster blue-water naval presence, cooperation with South Africa enhances reach across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
- Shared Security Beyond Submarines: These agreements bolster not just rescue, but also training, surveillance, and joint R&D—a key to addressing threats like piracy, trafficking, and strategic rivalries.
- Defence Industrial Growth: India’s defence manufacturing prowess aligns well with South Africa’s naval modernization ambitions.
- Regional & Historical Significance: Rooted in shared anti-colonial histories, this partnership extends diplomatic convergence into deeper defence integration.
India-South Africa Relations
- History of Friendship: India and South Africa share historic ties rooted in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. India was the first country to cut trade ties with the apartheid regime in 1946 and led international efforts at the UN and NAM to impose sanctions.
- Diplomatic Relations: Formal diplomatic ties were restored in 1993.
- The Red Fort Declaration of 1997 created a Strategic Partnership.
- 2023 marked 30 years of renewed diplomatic relations.
- Defence and Maritime Cooperation: Defence cooperation began in 1996.
- India and South Africa conduct joint naval exercises like IBSAMAR (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime) and MILAN.
- South Africa also participates in India-Africa Defence Dialogue and has sent liaison officers to India’s IFC-IOR.
- Political Engagement: India and South Africa regularly hold high-level meetings at BRICS, G20, and IBSA forums.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day in 2019.
- Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade reached $19.25 billion in 2023–24.
- India exports vehicles, pharma products, rice, and chemicals.
- It imports gold, coal, copper ore, phosphoric acid, and manganese from South Africa.
- India is among the top 10 trading partners of South Africa.
- Skill and Education Cooperation: The Gandhi–Mandela Centre of Specialisation was set up in Pretoria in 2021 to train artisans.
- India offers ITEC training programmes for South African professionals.
- Indian Diaspora: South Africa has a 1.7 million strong Indian-origin population.
- Most reside in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Cape Town.
Way Ahead
- India–South Africa relations are built on shared history, mutual respect, and a commitment to inclusive development.
- By deepening cooperation across defence, trade, innovation, and multilateral forums, India and South Africa can play a leading role in shaping a just and equitable world for the Global South.
Source: IE
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