India-South Africa strategic ties: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh meets Deputy Minister Moraka
Synopsis
South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in New Delhi with a cabinet-level delegation — the highest-level visit from Pretoria since Cyril Ramaphosa's 2019 Republic Day appearance. With a business roundtable, meetings with the President and Vice President, and a Hyderabad leg on the itinerary, this working visit is a clear signal that both sides are ready to move India-South Africa ties beyond symbolism.
Key Takeaways
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh met South African Deputy Minister Anna Moraka on 1 June in New Delhi to advance the bilateral strategic partnership.
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile is leading the delegation — only the second South African Deputy President to visit India.
Mashatile will meet EAM S.
Jaishankar , President Droupadi Murmu , and Vice President C.
Radhakrishnan on 2 June .
A business roundtable is planned to boost two-way investment flows.
The last Head of State visit from South Africa was in 2019 , when President Cyril Ramaphosa was Republic Day Chief Guest.
Both nations frame the relationship around non-alignment , BRICS , and South-South cooperation .
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Monday, 1 June held talks with visiting South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Anna Moraka in New Delhi, focusing on deepening the strategic partnership between India and South Africa and charting the road ahead for bilateral ties.
What Was Discussed
Singh described the meeting as productive, noting that both sides reviewed the 'ongoing strategic partnership' and explored concrete steps to strengthen bilateral engagement. The minister confirmed the discussion in a post on X, writing: 'Delighted to meet HE Ms. Anna Moraka, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, today. Discussed the ongoing strategic partnership between our countries and the way forward to further bolster our bilateral ties.'
High-Level South African Delegation in India
Moraka arrived in India on Friday as part of a high-powered South African delegation led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile — only the second South African Deputy President to visit India. The delegation also includes Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina, and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele.
Key Engagements Ahead
Deputy President Mashatile is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on 2 June. He will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on the same day, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Following his Delhi engagements, Mashatile will travel to Hyderabad.
Investment and Global South Agenda
A business roundtable is planned as part of the working visit, aimed at attracting investment flows in both directions. 'Through this Working Visit, Deputy President Mashatile is expected to cement the bilateral relations with the business leaders and investors from India through a Roundtable discussion which aims to attract more investment for both countries,' the South African Presidency said in a statement.
The South African Presidency further noted that the two nations 'enjoy a long relationship together which is based on shared history, cultural ties, and a shared vision of the world through its principled approach on non-alignment and supporting the development of the Global South through its promotion of South-South partnerships.'
Context: A Relationship Overdue for Renewal
Notably, the last Head of State visit from South Africa to India was in 2019, when President Cyril Ramaphosa served as Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations. The current delegation signals a deliberate effort to re-energise ties after a six-year gap at the highest level, coming against the backdrop of both nations' active roles in the G20 and BRICS frameworks. The visit's emphasis on investment and South-South cooperation reflects a shared interest in reshaping global economic governance.
Point of View
With Pretoria clearly looking to deepen economic linkages at a moment when South Africa's domestic growth is under pressure. India, for its part, has strategic incentives to cultivate African partnerships as it competes with China for influence across the continent. Whether the visit produces concrete investment commitments or remains at the level of diplomatic signalling will be the real measure of its success.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile visiting India?
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in India on a working visit to strengthen bilateral ties, hold talks with senior Indian leadership, and participate in a business roundtable aimed at boosting two-way investment. It is the highest-level South African visit to India since President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2019 Republic Day appearance.
Who did MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh meet and what was discussed?
MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Anna Moraka on 1 June in New Delhi. They discussed the ongoing strategic partnership and steps to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Who will Deputy President Mashatile meet in India?
Mashatile is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on 2 June. He will also travel to Hyderabad after concluding his Delhi engagements.
What is the basis of the India-South Africa relationship?
According to the South African Presidency, the relationship is grounded in shared history, cultural ties, and a common worldview centred on non-alignment and South-South cooperation. Both countries are also active partners within BRICS and the G20.
When was the last high-level South African visit to India?
The last visit by a South African Head of State to India was in 2019, when President Cyril Ramaphosa served as Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations. The current delegation is the highest-level engagement between the two countries since then.
