India and SACU to Sign Terms of Reference for Trade Pact Talks on August 12

Exam-focused facts from the 14 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

India and the South African Customs Union (SACU) will sign terms of reference for trade talks on August 12, 2026.
The negotiations will be for a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between India and SACU.
SACU comprises Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa.
South Africa is India's largest trading partner within the SACU bloc.
India-South Africa bilateral trade declined by 13.55% to $15.56 billion in 2025-26.
India's trade with Botswana increased by 21.26% to $614 million in 2025-26.
India's trade with Namibia increased by 4.32% to $593 million in 2025-26.
The terms of reference were discussed during a meeting between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and South Africa's Minister Parks Tau on the sidelines of the BRICS trade and industry ministers' meeting.