PIB · Government of India ·

PM Modi meets South African President on BRICS sidelines; invites South Africa to join International Big Cat Alliance

Distilled Policy Brief

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi to review bilateral strategic partnerships and reinforce multilateral cooperation.
  • Highlighting the successful translocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India, the Prime Minister formally invited South Africa to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
  • Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic ties, agreeing to maintain close coordination across various global and multilateral forums.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

Key details of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), its member countries, and the operational aspects of the Cheetah Translocation Project from South Africa to India.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Analyze the role of ecological diplomacy, such as the International Big Cat Alliance and wildlife translocation, in strengthening India's bilateral relations with African nations.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

International Relations

With reference to the bilateral relations and environmental cooperation between India and South Africa, consider the following statements: 1. During the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India formally invited South Africa to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 2. The invitation to join the IBCA was extended highlighting the successful translocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • [A] 1 only
  • [B] 2 only
  • [C] Both 1 and 2
  • [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [C] Both 1 and 2

Both statements are correct. During the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and formally invited South Africa to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). This invitation was extended in the context of the successful translocation of cheetahs from South Africa to India.

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Project Cheetah and IBCA: Understanding species reintroduction programs, the ecological role of top predators, and India's leadership in launching global conservation alliances like the International Big Cat Alliance.
India-South Africa Relations: Historical ties rooted in Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy, India's support for the anti-apartheid movement, and contemporary cooperation through IBSA, BRICS, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).