New Delhi, India – South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile has secured commitments from Indian business leaders to expand investments in key sectors of the South African economy following the first leg of his working visit to India.
Mashatile, who is leading a delegation of ministers and deputy ministers, described the visit as highly productive, saying it had strengthened the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries while opening new opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
“We have come to the capital of India to build on the long-standing friendship and partnership between our two countries. Currently, India ranks among the top 10 investing countries in South Africa,” he said. 
“The purpose of this visit has been to strengthen our trade and investment relations. As such, we engaged business associates, current investors in South Africa and India, and those who want to invest in our country,” Mashatile said.
During the first leg of the visit, Mashatile held meetings with Indian Vice President Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan and President Droupadi Murmu, with discussions covering trade, investment, skills development, infrastructure and multilateral cooperation.
“Our meetings reaffirmed our historic common bond of cooperation and friendship between South Africa and India and the deep cooperation in the areas of trade diversification, investment promotion, skills development, and multilateral cooperation in such areas as BRICS, IBSA, the G20, and the United Nations,” he said.
Both countries are seeking to align their cooperation with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision to advance inclusive growth across the Global South.
Mashatile delivered a keynote address at the Global Trade and Technology Council of India Business Round Table and met with representatives of the National Association of Software and Services Companies, one of India’s leading technology industry bodies.
“There was consensus on South Africa and India transitioning from dialogue to action, aiming to transform historic solidarity into a future-oriented partnership centered on innovation, industrialization, and shared prosperity,” he said.
The delegation also met with major Indian companies operating in energy, water, infrastructure, agriculture and information and communications technology, including Mahindra Group, Jindal Power, IGT Solution, Thermax and UFlex.
“Our discussions focused on expanding investment footprints in South Africa in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure,” Mashatile said.
Among the key outcomes of the visit was a commitment by Indian industry leaders to increase investments in South Africa, particularly in clean energy, pharmaceuticals, ICT and automotive components. The parties also explored opportunities in agricultural exports, mineral beneficiation and vaccine manufacturing.
Mashatile welcomed progress on agricultural trade after India notified in-transit cold treatment for South African citrus exports, a development expected to open new market access for South African citrus producers.
“This visit has laid a solid basis for greater cooperation and development of a better future for all. It has positioned South Africa as India’s gateway into Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area, while reinforcing our role as a reliable partner in advancing the development agenda of the Global South,” he said.
The second leg of the visit will take Mashatile to Hyderabad, where he is expected to engage leaders in the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors, with discussions focusing on innovation, youth employment and economic growth.
“I committed myself to growing investment in South Africa and to building mutually beneficial relationships with India, rooted in shared prosperity. Our business in South Africa and India will be facilitated,” he said.
“As the second Deputy President of South Africa to visit India, I want to affirm that though this trip is my first visit, it is the beginning of many to come. I look forward to returning to India in the near future to further strengthen our relations, deepen our economic partnership, and advance sustainable development,” Mashatile said.
