India and South Africa: Partners in a Shifting World

Explore 30 years of India and South Africa ties. From shared struggles to global leadership, learn how both democracies shape the Global South and a fairer multipolar world.

Introduction 

Drawing on the book Charting a Future for India and South Africa Relations in a Changing World Order, edited by Samir Bhattacharya and Vishal Nirghen and published by ORF on 27 August 2025, which contains Special Reports, this essay explores the significance of India–South Africa ties. This relationship is a shining example of how two diverse nations can unite around shared values, mutual respect, and the desire for progress. They draw strength from historic struggles, rich cultures, and active cooperation in many areas. By working together in trade, education, science, defence, and global governance, they contribute to a more equal, peaceful, and sustainable world. The story of India–South Africa ties is a lesson in the power of friendship and the endless possibilities that come from working together. This essay argues that the India–South Africa partnership, both retrospective and forward-looking, is strategically vital in a disrupted world order.

Shared Struggles

India and South Africa are bound by histories of resistance against oppression. Mahatma Gandhi first developed his philosophy of non-violent struggle in South Africa while resisting racial injustice. Nelson Mandela, in his own fight against apartheid, was inspired by Gandhi’s ideas. These shared experiences created trust and solidarity. India strongly supported South Africa’s liberation struggle, cutting ties with the apartheid regime and rallying world opinion against racial segregation. The bond was not just political but also moral, rooted in the pursuit of equality and dignity.

Freedom Bonds

When South Africa became a democracy in 1994, India was among the first to re-establish diplomatic relations. Mandela himself praised India’s steadfast support during the dark years. The Red Fort Declaration of 1997 and the Tshwane Declaration of 2006 laid down the framework for strategic partnership. Over the next three decades, cooperation expanded into trade, technology, education, defence, and cultural exchange. What began as solidarity evolved into a comprehensive relationship guided by democracy, inclusion, and fairness.

Timing and Purpose

The book is published at a critical moment. The global order long dominated by Western-led rules, globalisation, and U.S. pre-eminence is fragmenting. America, once the strongest advocate of multilateralism, now turns inward. Brexit and European struggles have weakened Western influence. This retreat opens space for middle powers and coalitions of the Global South to take greater agency. India and South Africa, with their democratic credentials and histories of resistance, are well placed to step into leadership roles.

The book has a dual purpose. It is retrospective, celebrating 30 years of diplomatic ties, but also forward-looking, offering a roadmap for the future. It shows how India and South Africa can drive reforms in global institutions, reduce reliance on any one power, and build cooperative models across trade, energy, education, security, and healthcare. Their partnership is presented not only as a bilateral success but also as a template for South–South cooperation in a disrupted world order.

The authors argue that India and South Africa are natural leaders of the Global South. Both nations share legacies of liberation struggles, vibrant civil societies, and democratic systems. They also possess the institutional creativity to shape new frameworks for global governance. Their cooperation is not about reacting to great-power rivalries but about proactively crafting multipolar, equitable, and resilient systems that represent the needs of the developing world.

Education Bridges

Education is a cornerstone of cooperation. India offers hundreds of scholarships to South African students each year through programmes such as ITEC and ICCR. These enable young South Africans to study medicine, engineering, and technology. In return, South Africa partners with Indian universities on joint research in fields such as astronomy, space science, and biotechnology. Such educational exchanges build human capital and strengthen people-to-people ties, extending the partnership beyond politics.

Skills for Youth

Youth unemployment is a challenge in both nations. India’s success in developing small and medium enterprises offers lessons for South Africa. The Gandhi–Mandela Centre of Specialisation in Tshwane provides artisan training in trades such as mechanics and electrical work. With Indian support, this centre equips South African youth with employable skills. Such initiatives show how South–South cooperation can provide practical, life-changing benefits to ordinary people.

Farming Ties

Agriculture remains central to both economies. India has pioneered innovations in irrigation, seed technology, and digital farming that can help South Africa adapt to droughts and climate change. Meanwhile, South Africa’s large-scale agribusiness expertise offers lessons for India’s farming sector. Trade in food products such as rice, spices, fruits, and wine already flows between them. Agricultural cooperation builds resilience, ensuring food security for millions in both countries.

Green Future

The climate crisis gives the partnership global significance. South Africa holds vital reserves of critical minerals like manganese and platinum, which are essential for renewable energy and electric vehicles. India, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070, requires these minerals for its energy transition. In return, India’s solar technology and renewable expertise can help South Africa reduce dependence on coal. Together, they can lead a greener and more equitable global energy order.

Health Solidarity

Health cooperation has been a hallmark of the partnership. During the HIV/AIDS crisis, both nations demanded access to affordable medicines. During COVID-19, they jointly pushed for waivers on vaccine patents at the WTO. This challenged pharmaceutical monopolies and ensured greater access for poorer nations. India supplies South Africa with affordable generic medicines, while collaborations in local manufacturing boost South Africa’s capacity. Together, they model how health solidarity can save lives globally.

Digital Growth

Technology is another frontier of cooperation. India’s innovations in digital identity (Aadhaar) and mobile payments (UPI) provide blueprints for financial inclusion in South Africa. In return, South Africa contributes strengths in astronomy and advanced research. Collaborative work is expanding in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and green technologies. By joining forces, they reduce reliance on Western tech monopolies and build resilient digital infrastructure for the Global South.

Defence Security

Security ties remain strong. Both countries face piracy, terrorism, and cyber threats. They cooperate through joint military exercises such as IBSAMAR, which also includes Brazil, and through naval patrols in the Indian Ocean. Defence production collaboration allows them to share expertise, with India benefiting from South Africa’s equipment and South Africa from India’s shipbuilding capabilities. Together, they ensure regional stability in an unpredictable world.

Ocean Power

Geography strengthens their cooperation. The Indian Ocean is a vital trade artery. India dominates the north, while South Africa guards the southern gateway. Their joint role ensures safe trade routes and prevents domination by outside powers. India’s MAHASAGAR doctrine highlights South Africa as a key partner in maintaining balance in the Indo-Pacific. Their maritime partnership is thus not only regional but global in its impact.

Social Strength

Partnership also extends to society. Women’s empowerment, sports diplomacy, and cultural exchanges bring the relationship to life. Indian training programmes help South African women enter fields like digital entrepreneurship and renewable energy. Cricket and Bollywood unite audiences, while festivals and arts connect communities. The Indian diaspora in South Africa adds another bridge, enriching cultural ties and strengthening public goodwill between the nations.

Economic Growth

Economic ties have grown steadily. South Africa is India’s largest trading partner in Africa. Bilateral trade, nearly $20 billion, spans minerals, pharmaceuticals, IT, and agriculture. Indian firms invest in South African industries, while South African companies benefit from India’s expanding market. Though a free trade agreement remains elusive, investments and collaborations continue to diversify both economies and reduce reliance on dominant global powers.

Global Voice

Both countries use international platforms to amplify the concerns of developing nations. In BRICS, they press for alternatives to Western financial dominance. In IBSA, they highlight democratic cooperation among the Global South. In the G20, they push for debt relief, climate justice, and inclusive development. As members of IORA, they promote sustainable governance of ocean resources. By acting together, they shape more representative and resilient global systems.

Multipolar Vision

The old U.S.-centred order is in decline. America’s inward turn leaves gaps in leadership, while China and Russia inspire caution rather than trust. In this space, India and South Africa advocate multipolarity—a world with many centres of power. Their cooperation is not about replacing one hegemon with another, but about balance, fairness, and justice. Their vision is a more inclusive system in which developing nations have a voice.

Shared Values

The partnership is anchored in moral traditions. India’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”) and Africa’s Ubuntu (“humanity towards others”) express philosophies of solidarity and inclusivity. These values guide their foreign policy, contrasting with the dominance-driven approaches of major powers. In a fractured world, their shared values offer a hopeful vision of cooperation centred on people, not just states.

Future Path

Looking ahead, the India–South Africa relationship is both a celebration and a strategy. It is a celebration of shared history, solidarity, and achievements. It is also a strategy for shaping a disrupted world order through multipolarity, equity, and resilience. Their partnership is a model of South–South solidarity that shows how middle powers can take initiative, not merely react to global crises. By investing in education, health, green energy, and reforming institutions, they light a path forward.

Conclusion

The rationale for this book is clear. The Western-led order is fragmenting, and America’s pre-eminence is waning. In this disrupted world, new leadership is needed. India and South Africa, with their shared struggles, democratic values, and growing capacities, step into this space. Their partnership offers a blueprint for cooperation and reform. It demonstrates how two democracies can lead the Global South, shape multipolarity, and work for a fairer, more resilient world.

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more Valuable Content – TheStudyias

Download the App to Subscribe to our Courses – Thestudyias

The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH