International
09 Jun, 2026
India 'valuable' partner for South Africa in 'turbulent times'
Business To Business, Johannesburg, 9th June, 2026: Phapano Phasha, head of the South African think tank The Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought, has described India as a "valuable" partner for South Africa in navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment and advancing a more inclusive multipolar world order.
According to Phasha, India's significance stems from its growing influence in global affairs and its ability to engage with multiple geopolitical groupings and regions.
He highlighted India's role both within and beyond the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which brings together:
- India
- United States
- Japan
- Australia
Phasha argued that the Quad has the potential to act as a "systemic stabiliser" in what he described as a fractured international landscape.
The grouping has increasingly focused on areas such as:
- Maritime security.
- Supply-chain resilience.
- Critical and emerging technologies.
- Infrastructure cooperation.
- Disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
Supporters of the Quad view it as a platform that can contribute to regional stability and help address global challenges through cooperation among major democracies.
India-South Africa Relations
India and South Africa share longstanding ties through forums such as:
- BRICS
- G20
- IBSA Dialogue Forum
Both countries have frequently advocated reforms of global governance institutions and greater representation for developing nations in international decision-making.
Phasha's remarks reflect a wider trend among many countries in the Global South that seek a more balanced international system where power is distributed among multiple centers rather than dominated by a single bloc.
In that context, India is increasingly viewed as a bridge between advanced economies and developing nations, as well as a key player in shaping the emerging multipolar order.