India and South Africa deepen scientific cooperation through astronomy partnership

India and South Africa are strengthening bilateral scientific cooperation with a renewed focus on astronomy and space research, reports IANS, a partner of TV BRICS.

India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Prabhat Kumar, described the initiative as a symbol of New Delhi’s commitment to scientific research, innovation, and international academic cooperation. He emphasised that scientific collaboration remains an important component of India’s foreign policy and highlighted the long-standing historical ties between the two countries.

The partnership between Indian and South African researchers is also entering a new technological phase. Officials announced that specialists from both countries are jointly developing a new camera detector and controller system for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), one of the world’s leading optical telescopes. The new equipment is expected to be installed in the coming months and is viewed as a major upgrade for the observatory’s future scientific operations.

Officials also confirmed that South African scientists will participate in several astronomy-related meetings hosted by India later this year under the BRICS framework. Planned events include the BRICS Astronomy Working Group Meeting, as well as the SALT workshop and board meeting scheduled for October and November.

India currently holds the 2026 BRICS chairship and is organising a series of scientific and astronomy-focused engagements involving member states. South Africa remains an active participant in these initiatives, the source reports.

Representatives of South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation noted that cooperation within BRICS extends across multiple scientific sectors. Alongside astronomy, India and South Africa are involved in joint international research projects connected with Antarctica and other global innovation platforms.