Sun Nov 23 14:16:42 UTC 2025: Summary:
During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss and strengthen bilateral relations between India and South Africa. Discussions included increasing cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, AI, critical minerals, skill development, and food security. The leaders also discussed initiatives to amplify the voice of the Global South and India’s upcoming BRICS chairmanship. Modi thanked Ramaphosa for the cheetah relocation project and invited him to join the International Big Cat Alliance. Previously, Modi addressed the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, advocating for a change in global development parameters, a G20 initiative against the drug-terror nexus, and a global healthcare response team.
News Article:
India and South Africa Forge Stronger Ties at G20 Summit
Johannesburg, South Africa – November 23, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a productive meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, solidifying the partnership between India and South Africa.
The two leaders engaged in discussions covering a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, skill development, and food security. They expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through youth exchange programs.
“We reviewed the full range of the India-South Africa partnership,” stated PM Modi, highlighting the commitment to diversifying cooperation in technology, skilling, AI, and critical minerals.
President Ramaphosa congratulated India on its successful G20 presidency in 2023, while PM Modi appreciated South Africa’s efforts to build on the decisions made during the New Delhi summit. Both leaders pledged to amplify the voice of the Global South on the international stage.
The meeting also touched upon the successful relocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India, with PM Modi inviting President Ramaphosa to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance. President Ramaphosa assured South Africa’s full support for India’s upcoming chairmanship of BRICS in 2026.
Prior to the bilateral meeting, PM Modi addressed the opening session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, urging a profound rethink of global development parameters. He proposed a G20 initiative to combat the drug-terror nexus and the creation of a global healthcare response team.
Bilateral trade between India and South Africa stood at $19.25 billion in 2023-24, making South Africa India’s largest trading partner in the African region. Indian businesses have invested over $1.3 billion in South Africa since 2000, across various sectors including pharmaceuticals, IT, automotive, banking, and mining.
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