India and South Africa

India and South Africa are democratic emerging powers that share a history of solidarity against colonialism, with India having played a leadership role and provided vital support to the anti-apartheid struggle. Since South Africa’s re-entry into international society, however, hard-headed economic and strategic imperatives have permeated relations between the two countries. Bilateral economic ties have grown rapidly, but rest on fragile foundations. Although security cooperation has been limited, it offers scope for deepening the India–South Africa ‘strategic partnership’, particularly in the Indian Ocean and in the field of peacekeeping. Both countries have sought closer engagement in multilateral forums across issues, including global governance reform, intervention, trade, and climate change, though differences persist. A key challenge relates to the place that Africa occupies in their respective perspectives. Although the depth India–South Africa relations can achieve remains in question, considerable potentiality exists.