Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, is in India as part of a working visit, which will highlight the importance of India's role in global affairs and its contributions to the African Agenda.
Image: Paul Mashatile/X/Supplied
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, has said that South Africa and India are forging a partnership worthy of the extraordinary history that binds the two countries together.
Mashatile said this while on a working visit to India. Mashatile arrived on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the Capital of India, New Delhi. He is expected to be in India until 3 June 2026.
As part of his trip, the deputy president will engage in a bilateral meeting with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, pay a courtesy call on Her Excellency Mrs Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India.
Mashatile is accompanied by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele.
The visit aims to reaffirm the South African Government's commitment to its relationship with India, emphasising historical and cultural ties. The visit will highlight the importance of India's role in global affairs and its contributions to the African Agenda, advocating for India as a key investment partner.
Additionally, the visit seeks to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums such as the UN, BRICS, and G20, enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, research, technology transfer, and support for small enterprises.
Mashatile, on his second visit as Deputy President to India, engaged with Indian business leaders and investors at the South Africa–India Technology, Trade and Investment roundtable discussion aimed at encouraging greater investment flows and economic collaboration between the two countries.
Mashatile said that since their arrival, they had been received warming with the people of India, embodying the timeless saying, “Atithi Devo Bhavah — the guest is equivalent to God,” for their hospitality and generosity are unmatched.
“South Africa and India share a historical and cultural relationship, unified by their commitment to non-alignment and the development of the Global South through South-South partnerships. Both nations are active in multilateral organisations such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), BRICS, IBSA, and IORA, reflecting their dedication to these principles and democratic values,” Mashatile said.
He said that projects like the Square Kilometre Array, the world's largest radio telescope, led by South Africa with India as a key partner, and with trade between the nations which increased from $4 billion in 2005 to nearly $20 billion in 2024, are part of the pillar of their connection.
“Recent engagements between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, have reaffirmed our shared commitment to unity, deeper cooperation in technology, skills, infrastructure and critical minerals.
“Through BRICS, IBSA and the G20, our two countries continue to champion a more inclusive global economic order. The question before us today is therefore not whether South Africa and India should work together. The question is how decisively we move from dialogue to delivery,” Mashatile said.
He said that three concrete flagship outcomes will support a focused collaboration agenda built around four strategic priorities.
“We will therefore work with Global Trade & Technology Council of India (GTTCI), the DTIC and SEDA to establish an SA–India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme, focused on supply chain integration, coproduction and joint market access.
“We see immediate opportunity in fintech and digital payments, health technology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and agricultural technology, including precision farming and cold-chain logistics,” Mashatile said.
“South Africa welcomes Indian investment into data centres, cloud infrastructure and fibre connectivity, strengthening Africa’s digital economy and enabling scale under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Mashatile said that they are seeking to deepen manufacturing-focused investment, particularly in critical minerals such as platinum-group metals, manganese and vanadium, as well as pharmaceuticals and renewable energy technologies.
“Through InvestSA and our One Stop Shop, the government stands ready to support investors seeking long-term, value-adding partnerships. We invite GTTCI and Indian investors to engage actively in South Africa’s upcoming Investment Conferences as we build a stronger bilateral pipeline.”
He added that they will also pursue an SA–India Skills and Innovation Exchange, anchored in university partnerships, youth technology programmes and vocational training aligned to industry demand.
“To focus our collective effort, we propose three flagship outcomes from this collaboration: First, the launch of the SA–India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme within the next year. Second, the establishment of at least two joint technology or pharmaceutical manufacturing projects serving African markets. Third, the rollout of an SA–India Youth Technology Skills Programme, targeting AI, digital services and advanced manufacturing,” Mashatile said.
“These initiatives will provide tangible platforms for partnership, investment and job creation. We are here to forge a partnership worthy of the extraordinary history that binds South Africa and India together.”