India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Infrastructure, and Advanced Manufacturing as key areas for future collaboration.
The decision was taken during a bilateral meeting between Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, in New Delhi. Both sides discussed ways to deepen scientific and technological cooperation and transform existing research partnerships into innovation-driven collaborations with greater economic and social impact.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the next phase of India-South Africa relations should move beyond traditional research cooperation and focus on emerging technologies, startup partnerships, innovation ecosystems, and industry-linked research. He noted that both countries possess complementary strengths that can help develop affordable and inclusive technological solutions for the developing world.
The minister highlighted India’s rapid progress in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Public Infrastructure, and startup-led innovation. According to him, these advancements create significant opportunities for collaborative research and technology development between the two nations.
Key Highlights
- India and South Africa agreed to expand cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Infrastructure, and Advanced Manufacturing as priority areas for future collaboration.
- Both countries aim to transform traditional research partnerships into innovation-driven collaborations involving startups, industry, and technology commercialisation.
- New opportunities were identified in quantum technologies, biotechnology, genomics, vaccine development, and health technologies.
- South Africa expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with India in renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, digital innovation, and skills development.
- The two nations reviewed progress on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, a major international astronomy initiative.
- India invited South Africa to participate in the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting 2026 in Chennai, while South Africa invited India to the Science Forum South Africa 2026.
Focus on Emerging Technologies and Healthcare Innovation
During the discussions, both countries agreed to intensify cooperation in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Geospatial Technologies, and Digital Infrastructure. These sectors have been identified as priority areas under the India-South Africa Joint Committee mechanism.
The two sides also explored opportunities in biotechnology, genomics, vaccine development, health technologies, and pandemic preparedness. Dr Singh emphasised that scientific cooperation should increasingly focus on developing practical solutions that improve lives, generate employment, and foster economic growth.
He added that India’s expertise in biotechnology, affordable healthcare innovation, and vaccine manufacturing could offer significant opportunities for collaboration with South Africa.
South Africa expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation with India in renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, digital technologies, health sciences, advanced manufacturing, and skills development.
Dr Gina described India as a trusted partner and highlighted the strong scientific relationship between the two countries. She noted that India and South Africa have already supported nearly 150 co-funded research projects across various scientific disciplines and stated that the partnership is now poised to expand into emerging technology sectors.
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Cooperation Through BRICS and Global Platforms
The meeting also reviewed ongoing collaboration in astronomy, particularly the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, one of the world’s largest scientific research initiatives. Dr Singh described the project as a powerful example of how international cooperation can drive scientific discovery, technological innovation, and human resource development.
Recognising the growing importance of multilateral scientific engagement, Dr Singh invited South Africa to actively participate in the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held in Chennai in August 2026. He said BRICS cooperation is creating new opportunities for joint research in areas such as high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, water resources, precision agriculture, and materials science.
The South African delegation also invited India to participate in Science Forum South Africa 2026, one of Africa’s leading platforms for scientific dialogue and innovation partnerships.
India and South Africa have maintained a strong science and technology partnership since signing their bilateral Science and Technology Agreement in 1995. Over the years, cooperation has expanded across sectors, including astronomy, biotechnology, health sciences, renewable energy, advanced materials, indigenous knowledge systems, and earth sciences.
The meeting concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to building a future-ready innovation partnership based on research excellence, technology development, startup collaboration, and scientific exchanges. The partnership aims to generate meaningful benefits for both nations while supporting the broader development goals of the Global South.
Source: Ministry of Science & Technology
