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President meets Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi
The Way Forward for India-South Africa (PPEs), including face masks, gloves, shoes, and
Relations helmets. Since these two countries are among the
The two sections above, have showcased most stable democracies in the global south, they
that India and South Africa have enjoyed cordial must use their powers to help in the consolidation
relations, more especially since the early 1990s of democracies in the region. Such conversations
(when South Africa gained her full independence). must also focus on such themes as climate change
Long may such relations continue in the new and global warming, child labor, and better terms
world order created in the aftermath of the global of global trade. Their defense cooperation must
Cold War. To do so, there are several areas that also see to it that they lead the way in eliminating
the leaders of the two countries, Prime Minister piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa, the
Narendra Modi in India and President Cyril Indian Ocean, and other parts of Asia, and more
Ramaphosa in South Africa, must consider. One importantly to stop the proliferation of nuclear
area that is lacking for South Africa, and indeed weapons across the globe. Such collaborations will
in other African countries, is that of the ICT make these two global powers become development
industry. India must assist by providing training partners, not just for their two countries, but also
to South African students and offer lower prices for the entire global south.
for machines and gadgets to South Africans. In
the agricultural production sector, South Africa References
can also benefit from its relations with India. This Alves, Philip., “India and South Africa: Shifting
includes India being a source of farm inputs (such priorities,” (2007).
as hybrid seeds and fertilizers) and farm machinery Mokoena, Refilwe., “South-South Cooperation:
(especially treadle pumps, tractors and harvesters). The Case of IBSA (2007).
India’s high population could also serve as a reliable Prabhakara, M.S., “India and South Africa:
market for South African agricultural products. As Cautionary and Salutary Lessons,” (2003).
the world is now experiencing a global pandemic The African Export Bank, “Deepening South-
(the COVID19 pandemic), and as both India and South Collaboration,” (2018).
South Africa have been signifi cantly aff ected by
the pandemic, this must be the time for the two *Author is a Historian, currently based at
countries to embark on extensive collaborations in Tarleton State University, in Texas, USA. His
the health sector. They must collaborate in fi nding research interests are in Malawi’s political and
the vaccine, the medication or cure for the virus, and economic history, and Africa’s relations with the
in the manufacture of personal protective equipment Indian Ocean world.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 8 • Issue 9 • November 2020, Noida • 31
