By 
NEW DELHI / PRETORIA — In a strategic move to fortify ties between two powerhouse nations of the Global South, South African Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile is set to arrive in the Republic of India today, Thursday, 28 May 2026, for a high-profile Working Visit.
The diplomatic mission marks a critical milestone in Pretoria’s foreign policy, with Mashatile becoming only the second South African Deputy President to undertake an official visit to India. The visit represents the highest-level South African state interaction with New Delhi since January 2019, when President Cyril Ramaphosa attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest.
Deepening the Global South Alliance
The relationship between South Africa and India is historically profound, built on a foundation of shared anti-colonial history, deep cultural ties, and a mutual commitment to non-alignment. Both nations have long championed the development of the Global South, consistently leveraging South-South partnerships to rebalance global governance.
This shared ideological vision is reinforced by their active, collaborative membership in key multilateral forums, including:
- BRICS and IBSA
- The G20
- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
Economic Diplomatic Push: The Investment Roundtable
While historical solidarity forms the bedrock of the relationship, Deputy President Mashatile’s itinerary—scheduled from 29 May 2026 to 3 June 2026—is heavily focused on contemporary economic realities.
The centerpiece of the visit will be a high-stakes Roundtable discussion with Indian business leaders and institutional investors. Facing economic headwinds at home, the South African delegation aims to directly pitch the country as a primary investment destination while fostering reciprocal commercial opportunities to benefit both economies.
Economic Focus: The Roundtable aims to cement bilateral relations with business leaders and investors from India to attract more investment for both countries.
A Heavyweight Delegation
Demonstrating the multisectoral nature of this diplomatic push, Mashatile is accompanied by a robust delegation of cabinet ministers and deputies. The composition of the delegation signals the specific industries Pretoria is targeting for deeper bilateral cooperation:
- Healthcare: Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
- Enterprise: Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni
- Foreign Policy: Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka
- Innovation: Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina
- Digital Economy: Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele
As the global geopolitical landscape continues to shift, Mashatile’s week-long visit is poised to not only refresh a historic alliance but also secure tangible economic commitments that could shape South Africa’s growth trajectory for the latter half of the decade.
