| India
(Republic of) History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations History of Relations The
declaration by India on 23 October 1992 that cultural relations between South
Africa and India should be entered into, can be interpreted as the first step
towards the normalisation of relations between the two countries. Mr Harsh Bhasin,
a senior career diplomat, arrived in South Africa on 30 May 1993 as the Director
of the Indian Cultural Centre in Johannesburg. The South African Mission in New
Delhi started functioning on 1 November 1993. On 22 November 1993, South Africa
and India signed an agreement establishing full diplomatic relations. Diplomatic
Representation South African Representation in India NEW
DELHI
H E Mr H M Majeke
High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
South
African High Commission (SAST +3,5 hours)
Indian Representation
in South Africa
H E Mr V Gupta
High Commissioner Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary
Indian
High Commission Travel Info Visa
Requirements for South Africans For more information contact the Indian
High Commission in Pretoria or one of the Consulates-General in Johannesburg or
Durban. Health Requirements Immunisation
against hepatitis A and B are strongly recommended before departure from South
Africa. Immunisation against diphtheria, meningitis, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis
is also recommended. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
from travellers coming from South Africa. For further information go to
Travelers' Health.. Climate
Info New Delhi is at an altitude of 700 feet above sea level in north
central India. The weather in the capital is most pleasant during the temperate
months October to November and February to March, these periods are characterized
by cool nights and warm days. In the winter months (December and January) the
temperature can become surprisingly cold. From April through to mid-July, daytime
temperatures often top 45-49 degrees C. The nights cool off somewhat, but are
still hot. From mid-July to September, the occasional monsoon rains create high
humidity and high temperatures, for this reason it is advisable to visit India
from mid-September to early April. For up-to-date weather information click here. Currency
Info The Indian unit of currency is the rupee (abbreviated Rs) which
is divided into 100 paise. There are coins of 25 and 50 paise and of 1, 2 and
5 rupees. Banknotes exist in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500
rupees. For current exchange rates click here. State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings No Information Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0872/0837.
Trade
Info The most important products exported to India are gold and silver,
coal and briquettes, iron and steel, inorganic and organic chemicals, electrical
goods, non-ferrous metals, crude fertiliser, pulp and waste paper and petroleum
crude. South Africa's imports from India are dominated by cotton yarn, finished
leather goods, machinery and instruments, handmade yarn fabrics, chemicals, spices,
rice, handicrafts and handmade carpets. For current information on trade
statistics between South Africa and India, visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa Interest
Groups and Information A commercial business alliance was established
between South Africa and India, called the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance
(ISACA), in October 1997. ISACA aims to promote trade, investment and commercial
relations between South Africa and India. The Department of Trade and Industry
in South Africa and The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI) in India share the responsibility of the secretariat. For more information,
contact the Asia Desk of the Department of Trade and Industry in Pretoria: Tel:
(012) 310-9340 Fax: (012) 322-0617 | 
