India-South Africa relations

India-South Africa relations

Relations with South Africa have been growing stronger after the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994. Both countries share strong economic and political ties and have an extensive energy partnership. In 2010, India imported 1.4 million tonnes of South African coal making it the largest purchaser of coal from the country. South Africa is also part of IBSA- a forum consisting of India, Brazil and South Africa that was created to help enhance co-operation and exchange.

Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister of South Africa Jacob Zuma succeeded in imparting a ‘forward looking’ character to India- South Africa relations on June 4th, 2010, during a comprehensive dialogue in Delhi. During the dialogue, both countries agreed to step up efforts to reform institutions of global governance, especially the U.N Security Council. They have cooperated on climate change, countering terrorism, WTO negotiations and have agreed to support each other’s candidature for a non permanent seat in the Security Council, 2011-2012. The three agreements that were signed were on civil aviation, agriculture and cooperation between diplomatic academies. Also both governments made promises regarding the India-South Africa Customs Union preferential trade agreement on protection and promotion of investments.