New Delhi, South African Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile met with Vice President C P Radhakrishnan during his official visit to India, discussing trade, skills development, defence and other key issues.
The two leaders held comprehensive talks aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between India and South Africa, focusing on trade, investment, defence cooperation, skills development and people-to-people exchanges.
They also exchanged views on Global South issues and discussed expanding cooperation through multilateral platforms like BRICS, G20, IBSA and IORA.
Vice President Radhakrishnan highlighted the proposed India-Southern African Customs Union Preferential Trade Agreement and expressed hope for early commencement and successful conclusion of negotiations.
Defence cooperation was also a key topic, with both sides welcoming growing collaboration and expressing optimism about future editions of the IBSAMAR Naval Exercise.
The vice president thanked South Africa for its support to India's Project Cheetah and sought continued cooperation in the conservation initiative.
He also invited South Africa to join India-led global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Big Cat Alliance.
