In 2025, India sold USD 6.99 billion of goods to South Africa and bought USD 8.52 billion from it. Both are members of the G20, BRICS and the Commonwealth of Nations. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 82 percent in 2023, and 86 percent on average over 2019 to 2023. In 2024, 28 thousand people born in India lived in South Africa, and 4 thousand people born in South Africa lived in India.
Benefits
BothTrade in goods runs both ways in similar amounts: India sold USD 6.99 billion and South Africa sold USD 8.52 billion in 2025.
BothTwo-way trade in mineral fuels and oils grew 62 percent, from USD 3.26 billion in 2019 to USD 5.30 billion in 2025.
BothTwo-way trade in critical minerals and metals grew 117 percent, from USD 342 million in 2019 to USD 742 million in 2025.
Constraints
BothThe two countries' customs reports differ on goods sold by South Africa to India in 2025: India reports USD 8.52 billion and South Africa reports USD 4.69 billion.
BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 742 million of critical minerals and metals, and India sold almost none.
BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, India sold USD 2.37 billion of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel, against USD 183 million the other way.