South Africa's High Commissioner to India praised the recent Bihar Assembly elections as a demonstration of vibrant democracy that African nations can learn from, highlighting the orderly and peaceful manner in which the voting process unfolded despite the state's population exceeding 100 million. Anil Sooklal noted that inclusivity represents what the world needs most today, contrasting democratic elections with exclusionary unilateral actions by some nations. South African observers participated in monitoring the electoral process to gain insights applicable to their country.
Sooklal discussed the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit under South African chairship, emphasizing themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability while focusing on inclusive economic growth, debt sustainability, and critical minerals governance. The diplomat stressed his country's intention to prevent repeated patterns where Africa merely provides raw materials without benefiting from value addition. He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend both the G20 Summit and an India-Brazil-South Africa formation meeting, underscoring the importance of bilateral relations rooted in shared colonial struggles and contemporary cooperation across trade, technology and security sectors.
Sooklal discussed the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit under South African chairship, emphasizing themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability while focusing on inclusive economic growth, debt sustainability, and critical minerals governance. The diplomat stressed his country's intention to prevent repeated patterns where Africa merely provides raw materials without benefiting from value addition. He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend both the G20 Summit and an India-Brazil-South Africa formation meeting, underscoring the importance of bilateral relations rooted in shared colonial struggles and contemporary cooperation across trade, technology and security sectors.
