As Sooklal prepares to take on his new role in New Delhi, his vast experience and historical significance as the first Indian-origin envoy are expected to further enhance the strong bilateral relations between South Africa and India
Anil Sooklal is poised to assume the role of South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, filling a position that has been vacant since the end of 2023. Expected to take charge within the next 45-60 days, Sooklal is notable for being the first person of Indian origin to hold this position since the establishment of full diplomatic relations between South Africa and India in 1993.
Sooklal’s academic credentials are impressive, with doctorates in oriental history and religious studies from the University of KwaZulu Natal. His diplomatic career began in 1995 after an academic tenure at both the University of KwaZulu Natal and the University of South Africa. Prior to this appointment, he served as the ambassador at large to Asia and the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
Sooklal’s extensive diplomatic resume includes roles as South Africa’s ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg from 2006 to 2012, and positions at the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations in Geneva. He has also been actively involved in BRICS, IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORA).
President Cyril Ramaphosa formalized Sooklal’s appointment on June 30, 2024, according to local media reports. This move aligns with New Delhi’s broader strategy to strengthen its influence in Africa, highlighted by the upcoming fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) in Ethiopia.
The trade relationship between South Africa and India is robust, with South Africa being India’s largest trading partner in Africa and the 18th largest globally for the financial year 2023-24. Bilateral trade reached $19.25 billion, surpassing the combined trade values of India’s next three largest African trading partners.
The Indian community in South Africa, comprising about 3 percent of the population, has historical roots dating back to the late 19th century when Indian indentured laborers were brought by the British. Sooklal himself has been recognized for his contributions to diplomacy, receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India in 2019 and the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023.
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