New Delhi, May 10 (IANS). India’s High Commissioner to South Africa Prabhat Kumar formally handed over a banner of India’s Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). The event, held at the Royal Observatory in Cape Town, aimed to further strengthen the long-standing scientific cooperation between India and South Africa.
At a ceremony held earlier this week, the Indian Ambassador praised SAAO’s “excellent research”. He said that putting up the banner of IUCAA is a symbol of how much importance the Government of India gives to scientific research and innovation. South Africa’s ‘Independent Online’ (IOL) gave this news.
He said, “Cooperation in the field of science is an important part of India’s foreign policy. India and South Africa have historical relations and we should continue to work together. If any kind of help is required from the High Commission or Consulate, we are always ready.”
SAAO Managing Director Rosalind Skelton also emphasized the strength of this partnership. He informed that the SALT facility has made many major achievements in the last 20 years.
“We are particularly proud of the technological advances that are taking SALT into the future. We are currently working with Indian colleagues to develop a new camera detector and controller that will be deployed on the telescope in the coming months. This is a very exciting new step for us,” he said.
Skelton also said that cooperation between the two countries will increase in the coming times under BRICS. South African scientists will participate in important astronomy meetings to be held in India this year.
He said, “We are excited to visit India in October and November. This will include the BRICS Astronomy Working Group meeting, as well as the SALT Workshop and Board Meeting.”
India is currently handling the responsibility of BRICS Chairmanship for 2026. Under this, many programs related to astronomy are being organized, in which SAAO is also actively participating.
On behalf of the South African Government, Tebogo Makoma of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation stressed the strategic importance of this partnership.
He said that South Africa participates in many working groups of BRICS and is committed to provide full support to its programs during India’s Chairmanship.
He said, “We have 13 working groups under BRICS and it is our responsibility to ensure participation in them and support India’s programs. We have already participated in many successful programs and will fully cooperate in future also.”
He also said that the cooperation between the two countries is not limited to astronomy only, but both are also working together in global science projects related to Antarctica, Geneva and France.
–IANS
AY/ABM
