By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The Deputy Minister of Science,
Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has met with India’s Minister
of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, in Hyderabad today, reaffirming
their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation in science, technology and
innovation.
The engagement took place on the
sidelines of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s six-day Working Visit to India,
which started on Friday, 29 May, in New Delhi. This is part of South Africa’s
broader programme to deepen relations with India and expand collaboration in
key areas such as trade, investment, healthcare, digital innovation, science, technology
and Innovation (STI).
India remains a trusted strategic
partner for South Africa in STI through the Department of Science, Technology
and Innovation (DSTI), with bilateral science cooperation anchored in the 1995
Agreement on Science and Technology and strengthened through successive
Programmes of Cooperation.
Both countries agreed that stronger
cooperation can support the implementation of South Africa’s Science,
Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan 2022–2032, particularly in the digital
economy, advanced manufacturing, health and energy.
The partnership spans biotechnology,
renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, digital innovation, astronomy, and
other mega-science initiatives, supported by stronger linkages between
universities, funding agencies, and research institutions.
Since 2001, the bilateral programme
has supported more than 150 co-funded research projects, while India has also
contributed to the Square Kilometre Array through cooperation in software
development, data-intensive astronomy, and high-performance computing.
The bilateral meeting, built on the
momentum of the 14th India-South Africa Joint Committee Meeting on Science and
Technology held on 29 July 2025, reaffirmed cooperation in priority areas such
as quantum technologies, supercomputing, geospatial sciences, biotechnology,
advanced manufacturing, and mega-science infrastructure.
A key outcome of the engagement was
agreement to convene three bilateral technical workshops on advanced materials
and manufacturing, geospatial technologies, and digital infrastructure.
Dr Gina said South Africa’s
partnership with India in science, technology and innovation continues to
demonstrate the value of trusted cooperation among Global South partners.
“Our discussions reaffirmed a shared
commitment to deepen collaboration in strategic areas such as digital
innovation, advanced manufacturing, geospatial sciences and biotechnology, so
that our partnership can deliver practical benefits for our people and support
inclusive, sustainable development.”
Deputy Minister Gina invited India
to participate in Science Forum South Africa 2026 at the CSIR International
Convention Centre in Pretoria from 2 to 4 December 2026.
