India and South Africa have agreed to expand cooperation in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and strategic trade during the BRICS 2026 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, reinforcing efforts to strengthen bilateral investment, resilient supply chains, and long-term economic partnership.

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• India and South Africa agreed to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and strategic industries during bilateral talks between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and South African Trade Minister Parks Tau.
• Both countries reviewed progress on the proposed India–Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and emphasized the early signing of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) to accelerate trade negotiations.
• The discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, boosting investments, and strengthening resilient supply chains for critical minerals, clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and other strategic sectors.
• India is hosting the BRICS 2026 Trade Ministers’ Meeting under its presidency, with a focus on promoting trade, innovation, resilient value chains, and sustainable industrial growth among BRICS member nations.
• According to the India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (IAEF), bilateral trade between India and Africa increased from nearly US$7 billion in 2001 to more than US$98 billion in 2023, reflecting the growing economic partnership.
• Cumulative Indian investments across Africa have crossed US$75 billion, with major investments in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, agriculture, and other key development sectors.
• Both sides identified significant opportunities for future collaboration in healthcare, artificial intelligence, fintech, climate technologies, logistics, digital infrastructure, and high-value manufacturing to drive sustainable economic growth.
• The strengthened partnership is expected to deepen India–Africa economic cooperation, improve regional connectivity, diversify global supply chains, and create new trade and investment opportunities for businesses in both countries.