External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a meeting with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola in New Delhi on Wednesday, discussing various aspects of the strategic partnership and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
“Glad to meet FM Ronald Lamola of South Africa this evening. Reviewed different aspects of our Strategic Partnership. Also discussed multilateral issues of mutual interest. Agreed on the need to intensify our interactions through institutional mechanisms,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.
Lamola thanked India for its efforts in promoting international discourse on topical and forward-looking issues by hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He also expressed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening ties with India at the bilateral level.
“Thank you Minister S. Jaishankar and the Government of India for hosting the South African delegation and for India’s efforts to promote international discourse on topical and forward-looking issues by hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,” Lamola wrote on X.
“South Africa and India have enjoyed close and meaningful relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations over 30 years ago, and this relationship is of significant importance to South Africa. We are committed to deepening and strengthening ties with India at the bilateral level, and to ensuring that the relationship reaches its full potential for the benefit of both populations,” he added.
EAM Jaishankar will chair the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14–15, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had announced on Tuesday.
India holds the chairmanship of BRICS in 2026 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, reflecting a people-centric and humanity-first approach.
The theme was articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2025.
(IANS)
