New Delhi, May 14: S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Ronald Lamola in New Delhi, focusing on strengthening the India–South Africa strategic partnership and enhancing coordination on key multilateral platforms.
The discussions covered a broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation areas, alongside alignment on global and regional issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed on the need to deepen engagement through institutional mechanisms to sustain momentum in the relationship.
The meeting comes ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which India will chair on May 14–15 as part of its 2026 presidency. India’s chairmanship is guided by the theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, reflecting a broader push for inclusive and people-centric global governance.
Lamola acknowledged India’s role in facilitating dialogue on emerging global issues and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to expanding bilateral ties. The two countries share over three decades of diplomatic relations, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, and multilateral coordination.
The engagement also highlights India’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships within BRICS, particularly as the grouping expands its global footprint. Recent additions—including countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Iran—have enhanced the bloc’s economic and geopolitical relevance.
With India positioning itself as a key voice for the Global South, the Jaishankar–Lamola meeting underscores a continued emphasis on deepening South-South cooperation, strengthening multilateral engagement, and advancing shared economic and strategic interests.
