India and South Africa agreed to scale up bilateral cooperation in future technologies
Key priority areas identified: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure, and Advanced Manufacturing
Additional collaboration areas explored: Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology, and Hydrogen Energy
Nearly 150 co-funded research projects already exist between the two countries across diverse scientific disciplines
India invited South Africa to participate in BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting scheduled for August 2026 in Chennai
South Africa invited India to participate in Science Forum South Africa 2026, described as one of Africa's premier platforms for global scientific dialogue
The bilateral Science and Technology Agreement was signed in 1995
Cooperation has expanded across astronomy, biotechnology, health sciences, indigenous knowledge systems, renewable energy, advanced materials and earth sciences
Specific flagship project mentioned: Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in astronomy
Meeting held at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi with representatives from Ministry of External Affairs and South African High Commission
BRICS cooperation creating opportunities in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, water resources, precision agriculture and materials science
South Africa expressed interest in expanding cooperation in renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, health sciences, vaccine research and skills development
