Authorities have announced that India and South Africa are expanding their scientific partnership, with renewed emphasis on astronomy and space-related research collaboration.
India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Prabhat Kumar, described the growing cooperation as a reflection of New Delhi’s commitment to scientific advancement, innovation and international academic partnerships, while also pointing to the longstanding ties between both nations.
The two countries’ researchers are now entering a more advanced phase of collaboration, including joint work on the development of a new camera detector and control system for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), one of the world’s major optical observatories.
Officials say the upgraded system is expected to be deployed in the coming months and will significantly enhance the telescope’s scientific capabilities and future research output.
South African scientists are also expected to take part in a series of astronomy-focused meetings scheduled to be hosted in India later in the year under the BRICS scientific cooperation framework.
These include the BRICS Astronomy Working Group Meeting, as well as a SALT workshop and board session planned for October and November.
With India currently chairing BRICS in 2026, a range of science and technology engagements involving member countries are being coordinated, with South Africa actively participating in the initiatives.
Officials from South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation noted that collaboration within the bloc extends beyond astronomy to other research areas.
They added that both countries are also involved in wider international scientific projects, including Antarctic research and other global innovation programmes.