India, South Africa Deepen Scientific Partnership with Strong Push in Astronomy Research

New Delhi: India and South Africa have taken another step towards strengthening their scientific partnership, with a renewed focus on astronomy research and technological collaboration.

India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Prabhat Kumar, formally handed over a banner of India’s Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) to the South African Astronomical Observatory during a ceremony held at the historic Royal Observatory earlier this week.

According to reports, the Indian envoy praised the observatory for its outstanding contribution to scientific research and described the installation of the IUCAA banner as a symbol of India’s commitment to science, innovation and international collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Kumar said scientific cooperation remains an important part of India’s foreign policy. Referring to the long-standing historical ties between the two countries, he stressed the need to further strengthen collaboration in research and innovation. He also assured continued support from the Indian High Commission and Consulate for future scientific initiatives.

Rosalind Skelton, Managing Director of the South African Astronomical Observatory, highlighted the success of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project over the last two decades.

She said the observatory is currently working with Indian collaborators on the development of a new camera detector and controller for the SALT telescope, which is expected to be installed in the coming months. Skelton described the project as an exciting new phase in the partnership between the two nations.

She also confirmed that South African scientists would participate in several astronomy-related meetings in India later this year under the BRICS framework, including the BRICS astronomy working group meeting and the SALT workshop and board meeting scheduled for October and November.

India is currently holding the 2026 chairship of BRICS, during which multiple astronomy and science-related engagements are being organised with active participation from South African institutions.

Representing the South African government, Tebogo Makoma from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation underlined the strategic value of India-South Africa cooperation within BRICS.

He said South Africa is actively participating in several BRICS working groups and is committed to supporting India’s initiatives during its chairship year. Makoma added that the collaboration between the two countries goes beyond astronomy and includes broader global science projects connected to Antarctica, Geneva and France.

With inputs from IANS