On May 29, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with South African Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile in New Delhi to discuss enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The leaders agreed to strengthen ties in trade, investments, and infrastructure, building on their shared history as BRICS members and influential voices in the Global South. Mashatile, who is on a six-day visit to India, emphasized the need to expand relations, particularly in economic areas. Both sides recognized the significance of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector for economic growth and employment generation. Discussions included enhancing access to finance, promoting enterprise formalization, and accelerating digitalization in MSME development. The meeting, attended by key government ministers from both nations, reflects a commitment to deepen bilateral engagement and foster a supportive ecosystem for MSMEs, ultimately aiming to address poverty, unemployment, and inequality in both countries.