18 May 2015

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in South Africa



External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in South Africa

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is on a four-day visit to South Africa from 18-22 May, 2015.

Swaraj is expected to meet her counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane at the 9th Session of the India-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Durban. They JMC is expected to conclude agreements around defence, deep sea mining, science and technology, agriculture, and insurance. They will also discuss regional and international issues related to BRICS, reform of multilateral institutions, cyber-security, among other.

Swaraj will also extend an invitation to South African President Jacob Zuma for the third India-Africa Forum Summit on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The third India-Africa Summit is expected to be held from 26-30 October in India. This year, the Government of India will be extending invitations to the leaders of all 54 African countries for the Summit.

India-South Africa bilateral trade: $11.1 billion (2013-2014)

Indian exports: $5.07 billion (Vehicles and components, transport equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, dyes, chemicals, textiles, rice, gems and jewelry)

Indian imports: $6.07 billion (Gold, steam coal, copper ores & concentrates, phosphoric acid, manganese ore, aluminum ingots & other minerals)

All trade figures are from the Ministry of External Affairs, India, country briefs