Our Bureau
Johannesburg
India and South Africa have taken a significant step forward in their bilateral defence relations by signing two agreements focused on submarine cooperation. The agreements were formalized during the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 23 and 24, 2025. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the South African side was headed by Dr. Thobekile Gamede, the acting Secretary for Defence.
The meeting commenced with opening remarks from both co-chairs, setting the agenda and providing broad guidance to the two sub-committees reporting to the JDC. These sub-committees—Defence Policy and Military Cooperation, and Defence Acquisition, Production, Research and Development—subsequently briefed the main committee on the outcomes of their discussions. The proceedings included detailed discussions on the defence industry capabilities of both nations and explored areas of mutual interest to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted India’s growing prowess in defence manufacturing and exports, emphasizing the country’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with South Africa. He also recalled the historic relations between the two countries and expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made in bilateral defence collaboration. The South African counterpart echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of continued partnership and joint initiatives in the defence sector.
The submarine cooperation agreements mark a pivotal development in the strategic partnership between India and South Africa. While the specific details of the agreements have not been disclosed, the focus is understood to be on enhancing mutual capabilities, sharing expertise, and supporting each other in submarine operations, maintenance, and possibly joint training or technology transfer. The move is seen as a concrete step towards operationalizing the shared vision for maritime security and defence preparedness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
