H.E. Mr. Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, called on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (June 2, 2026). Welcoming Deputy President Mashatile on his first visit to India, the President said that India and South Africa share a special friendship that is both historic and contemporary.
Our multifaceted partnership is founded on shared values and mutual respect. South Africa was the very first country with which India established a Strategic Partnership in 1997. The President said that India and South Africa have always been leading voices of the Global South.
We share a common history of anti-colonial struggle. Through our close cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the G20, we seek to promote peace and prosperity not only for our own peoples but also for the broader Global South.
The President was happy to note that the bilateral trade between India and South Africa is about USD 15.5 billion. She said that the potential is much greater, and we should strive to take our trade relationship to a higher level. We should continue to provide a conducive policy environment that enables companies from both countries to expand their investments and business activities in each other's markets.
The President said that India remains fully committed to its partnership with Africa and will work closely with the African Union Commission to reconvene the India-Africa Forum Summit at an early date. The two leaders agreed that closer cooperation between India and South Africa can bring immense benefits to our peoples.