India-South Africa Relations: Milestones in Chronological Order

India and South Africa share a unique bond rooted in their shared history of struggle against colonialism and apartheid. The relationship, often described as special and strategic, spans various sectors like politics, economics, and culture.

Here's a chronological list of major and minor milestones:

Early Period (Pre-1994):

• 1860: Arrival of indentured Indian laborers in Natal (present-day KwaZulu-Natal), marking the beginning of the Indian diaspora in South Africa. This event is significant due to the subsequent cultural exchange and the role played by the Indian community in the anti-apartheid movement.
• 1893: Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in South Africa, where he developed his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) while fighting for the rights of Indians. This event laid the foundation for future cooperation between the two nations in the fight against injustice and inequality.
• 1946: India becomes the first nation to lodge a formal complaint against apartheid at the United Nations, marking the beginning of international pressure against South Africa's racial segregation policies.
• 1949: India severs diplomatic ties with South Africa in protest against apartheid. This act demonstrated India's commitment to fighting against racial discrimination on the global stage.

Post-Apartheid Era (1994-present):

• 1993: Establishment of diplomatic relations, signifying the end of apartheid and the dawn of a new era of cooperation.
• 1994: Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, visits India, further cementing ties between the two nations.
• 1997: Establishment of the Red Fort Declaration on Strategic Partnership during President Mandela's state visit to India. This marked the formal beginning of a strategic partnership encompassing various sectors.
• 2003: Launch of the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA), a platform for South-South cooperation on global issues. IBSA signifies the desire of these nations to work together to reshape the global order.
• 2010: South Africa joins BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), a grouping of major emerging economies. This membership strengthens economic ties and enhances collaboration on global economic governance.
• 2011: India and South Africa sign the Bilateral Strategic Programme of Cooperation (2011-2015), deepening collaboration in defense, science and technology, and culture.
• 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits South Africa, commemorating the centenary of Nelson Mandela's birth and reaffirming the strategic partnership.
• 2019: President Cyril Ramaphosa visits India as the Chief Guest for India's Republic Day celebrations, further solidifying the bond.

Current and Future Outlook:

India and South Africa continue to strengthen their strategic partnership through increased cooperation in areas like:

• Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade has been steadily increasing, with India being one of South Africa's top trading partners.
• Defense and Security: Both nations engage in joint military exercises and cooperate on maritime security.
• Science and Technology: Collaboration in areas like space technology and nuclear energy research is ongoing.
• Health: India played a crucial role in supplying COVID-19 vaccines to South Africa during the pandemic.
• Multilateral Fora: Both countries work closely within the UN, IBSA, BRICS, and other multilateral organizations to address global challenges.

The India-South Africa relationship is deeply rooted in their shared history and values. As both countries navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, their strategic partnership is expected to deepen further, fostering cooperation for mutual benefit and contributing to a more just and equitable world order.