India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen their partnership in emerging technologies, with artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing identified as priority areas for joint development.
The decision was taken during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi between Indian Union Minister Jitendra Singh and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina. Both countries agreed that future cooperation should move beyond traditional research collaborations toward innovation, technology development, startup partnerships and industry-led solutions.
Several priority areas for joint work were identified, including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies, biotechnology and genomics, hydrogen energy, geospatial technologies and health technologies and vaccine research. Singh said India and South Africa have complementary strengths and can work together to develop affordable and scalable technological solutions for the developing world.
India highlighted its progress in AI, quantum technologies, digital public infrastructure and startup-driven innovation. Singh emphasized the need for stronger engagement between research institutions, startups, innovation agencies and industries from both countries, with both sides agreeing to encourage greater interaction between scientists and technical experts to convert research partnerships into practical innovation and commercial opportunities.
The discussions also focused on biotechnology, genomics, vaccine development and healthcare technologies. India emphasized its expertise in biotechnology and affordable healthcare innovation, while South Africa expressed interest in expanding cooperation in health sciences and vaccine research. The two countries also discussed collaboration in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies as part of the broader partnership.
South Africa noted that the two nations have already supported nearly 150 joint research projects across various scientific disciplines, and officials from both sides expressed confidence that the partnership is now ready to expand into advanced technology sectors. The leaders also reviewed cooperation in astronomy, including the Square Kilometre Array project — one of the flagship scientific collaborations between the two countries.
Singh invited South Africa to participate in the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting scheduled for Chennai in August. The meeting is expected to focus on collaborative research in AI, renewable energy, biotechnology and advanced materials. South Africa in turn invited India to participate in the Science Forum South Africa 2026, a major platform for scientific collaboration and innovation partnerships.
India and South Africa have maintained a strong science and technology partnership since signing a bilateral agreement in 1995. The latest discussions signal a broader shift toward innovation-led cooperation aimed at promoting technology development, economic growth and sustainable development in both countries.
