India–South Africa relations

The bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of South Africa have grown strong since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994. Both nations have since developed close strategic, cultural and economic ties.

Background

There is a major resident Indian community in South Africa that made a significant contribution to the struggle for civil rights; Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi pioneered the non-violent civil disobedience in the stuggle of Indian people for civil rights in the 1890s and 1900s.cite web |title=South Africa embraces "cousin" India |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5346626.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-09-14 |accessdate=2008-06-20] Indians also contributed to the African National Congress's struggle against the Apartheid regime. The Indian government was an outspoken critic of the apartheid-era South African government, refusing to maintain diplomatic relations.cite web |title=India pushes people power in Africa |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IG13Df03.html |publisher=Asia Times |date=2007-07-13 |accessdate=2008-06-20] India's support evoked goodwill in South Africa and other African countries.cite web |title=India pushes people power in Africa |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IG13Df03.html |publisher=Asia Times |date=2007-07-13 |accessdate=2008-06-20]

Development of bilateral relations

Both nations established diplomatic relations after the end of apartheid in 1994. Bilateral trade grew exponentially from USD 3 million in 1992-93 to USD 4 billion in 2005-06, and the two governments have targeted increasing bilateral trade to USD 12 billion by 2010.cite web |title=India-S. Africa trade to cross $12b by 2010 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082352162100.htm |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=2007-08-23 |accessdate=2008-06-20] cite web |title=South Africa embraces "cousin" India |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5346626.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-09-14 |accessdate=2008-06-20] Gold bullion constitute one-third of India's imports from South Africa, while India polishes and processes diamonds from South African mines.cite web |title=India/South Africa trade zone talks |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1447260.stm |publisher=BBC News, Bilaterals.org |date=2001-07-19 |accessdate=2008-06-20] South Africa has promoted signing a free trade agreement with India and the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), which includes Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland along with South Africa.cite web |title=India-South Africa to discuss free trade pact |url=http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=11219 |publisher=AFP, Bilaterals.org |date=2008-02-21 |accessdate=2008-06-20] India and South Africa have also developed military cooperation, trading arms and joint exercises and programs to train forces. South African leader Nelson Mandela was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize by the Indian government. Both nations have also promoted sporting ties, with the Indian national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team frequently exchanging visits and participating in cricket tournaments hosted by either nation.

IBSA

On June 6, 2003 India and South Africa signed an agreement with Brazil, known as the Brasilia Declaration, establishing "South-South" cooperation, based on the premise of the three nations being regional powers of South Asia, Southern Africa and South America. The declaration called for extensive tripartite cooperation on strategic, commercial and cultural affairs, development of a tripartite free trade agreement and a united front in negotiating with Western nations in the World Trade Organization (WTO), calling for reform of the U.N. Security Council and supporting each other's bid for permanent membership with veto rights.cite web |title=Free trade bid for emerging world |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4863866.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-03-31 |accessdate=2008-06-20] cite web |title=India, Brazil, SA to boost trade |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4860574.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-03-30 |accessdate=2008-06-20] The IBSA Dialogue Forum was created to promote cooperation and consensus on issues of trade, poverty alleviation, intellectual property rights, social development, agriculture, climate change, culture, defence, education, energy, health-care, information society, science and technology, peaceful nuclear energy, tourism and transport.cite web |title=Free trade bid for emerging world |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4863866.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-03-31 |accessdate=2008-06-20] cite web |title=India, Brazil, SA to boost trade |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4860574.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-09-14 |accessdate=2008-06-20] The three nations pledged to boost trilateral trade to USD 15 billion by 2010.cite web |title=Pranab arrives in South Africa to participate in IBSA meeting |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=f60b0443-5c79-47a8-a377-3f995302c99e&&Headline=Pranab+arrives+in+South+Africa+for+IBSA+meeting |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2008-05-11 |accessdate=2008-06-20] The three nations have also expanded military cooperation and conducted joint naval excercises in 2008.cite web |title=Pranab arrives in South Africa to participate in IBSA meeting |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=f60b0443-5c79-47a8-a377-3f995302c99e&&Headline=Pranab+arrives+in+South+Africa+for+IBSA+meeting |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2008-05-11 |accessdate=2008-06-20]

References