Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma met with South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile during his official visit to India. The meeting took place on June 1, 2026, and focused on topics like the role of Global South countries and BRICS nations in addressing global challenges.
Mr. Mashatile, a member of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, highlighted the strong historical ties between India and South Africa, inspired by leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration to tackle shared concerns and challenges.
The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia. It now represents 11 major economies, accounting for nearly half the global population, 40% of GDP, and a quarter of global trade.
During his stay in India, Mr. Mashatile also met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. He plans to visit Hyderabad, where he will meet Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, business leaders, and academics.