On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss strengthening cooperation across various sectors. The meeting, held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, centered on enhancing trade and investment opportunities, with a particular focus on technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical minerals.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the relationship between India and South Africa, highlighting trade, investment, food security, skill development, mining, and people-to-people connections. They acknowledged the historical ties that form the foundation of the two nations' bond.
Discussions revolved around bolstering collaboration in AI, digital public infrastructure, and critical minerals. Both Modi and Ramaphosa recognized the increasing presence of Indian companies in South Africa and committed to facilitating mutual investments, specifically in infrastructure, technology, innovation, mining, and the startup ecosystem.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Ramaphosa for South Africa's contribution to the cheetah relocation project in India and extended an invitation to join the International Big Cat Alliance, spearheaded by India. Furthermore, the leaders pledged to collaborate to amplify the voice of the Global South. Modi also lauded South Africa's initiative to host the IBSA leaders' meeting. President Ramaphosa assured that South Africa would fully support India's upcoming BRICS chairmanship in 2026.
The Economic Times reported that the discussions included ways to enhance trade and investment opportunities while also diving deep into the realms of technology, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. The Hindu also highlighted the discussions on trade, critical minerals, and overall cooperation between the two countries. Vartha Bharathi added food security to the list of discussed topics.
The meeting underscores the importance of the India-South Africa relationship and the commitment of both nations to deepen their collaboration on various fronts. The focus on technology, AI, and critical minerals signals a forward-looking approach to the partnership, recognizing the significance of these sectors in the 21st-century global landscape.
