Ram Madhav, a prominent figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and advocate of Hindu nationalism, recently encouraged Indian South Africans to fortify their connections with India, the world’s fastest-growing major emerging economy. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Indian consulate, Madhav emphasized India’s foreign policy, which he described as grounded in “tradition, technology, trade, and trust.”
His message was clear: while Indian South Africans should remain loyal citizens of their country of birth, they must also cherish their ancestral connection to India. “Wherever you are, that is your ‘swadeś’, your land of duty. Be proud citizens of that country, but remain connected to your ‘mātṛbhūmi’ — your land of ancestry,” he told the audience.
A Call for Deeper Diaspora Engagement
Madhav highlighted the moral and historical kinship between Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, positioning India and South Africa as two democracies that have triumphed over colonial oppression. His call to action focused on leveraging this shared legacy to elevate bilateral ties, particularly through diaspora-driven diplomacy.
“Governments can sign MoUs and companies can trade goods, but it’s people who sustain relationships,” he said. “People-to-people ties are the foundation of lasting cooperation.”
India’s Global Rise and Economic Influence
As a key architect of India’s foreign policy narrative, Ram Madhav presented India as a strategic partner, highlighting its presidency of the G20 in 2023 and its success in advocating for the African Union’s inclusion in the group. With a population of over 1.4 billion and a rapidly expanding economy, India seeks to strengthen alliances within the Global South, especially through forums like BRICS.
India currently ranks as South Africa’s sixth-largest trade partner and the second within BRICS. By March 2025, bilateral trade figures showed South Africa exporting goods worth R163 billion to India, while importing goods valued at R148 billion. India’s major exports include pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and fintech solutions, while South Africa provides essential minerals such as gold, coal, platinum, and manganese ore.
Political Vision and Controversies
Madhav, a senior member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and former general secretary of the BJP, is known for his ideological commitment to Hindu nationalism. His political stance has often sparked controversy, particularly regarding India’s domestic policies toward religious minorities and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status.
In his book New World Order: 21st Global Order and India, Madhav outlines a vision for India’s strategic rise amid global realignments, especially as trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and China. Critics argue that his views promote a Hindu majoritarian model that marginalizes minorities and pushes an expansionist narrative beyond India’s current borders.
Strategic Cooperation with South Africa
During his visit, Madhav acknowledged that diplomatic relations between India and South Africa had yet to reach their full potential. “Beyond the memories of Gandhi and Mandela, the relationship hasn’t grown as much as it could. But with leaders like Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa, there’s a renewed determination to deepen ties,” he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to strategic partnership during the recent G7 summit. Both countries aim to strengthen their roles within the Global South and enhance multilateral cooperation through BRICS and G20 initiatives.
India’s Diaspora as a Diplomatic Bridge
Madhav stressed the importance of the Indian diaspora in foreign policy. “You are the real ambassadors,” he told the South African Indian community. “People-to-people engagement must be driven by the community. Prime Minister Modi made this a cornerstone of foreign policy over the last decade.”
He also invoked the ancient Indian philosophy of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” — the world is one family — as a guiding principle for diaspora diplomacy, calling for closer cultural and economic integration between communities in India and South Africa.
Looking Ahead: Modi’s Africa and Latin America Tour
Madhav’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s anticipated diplomatic tour of Africa and Latin America, including stops in Ghana, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. The tour will culminate at the 17th BRICS summit in Brazil, scheduled for 6–7 July 2025. These visits underscore India’s efforts to expand its global presence and reinforce partnerships in the developing world.
Related Links:
- India–South Africa BRICS Relations
- South African Department of Home Affairs – Indian Diaspora
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs
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