South Africa's India envoy not recalled, asked for clarifications over ex-President Zuma, Ajay Gupta meeting: Sources
New Delhi, August 7
South Africa's High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has not been recalled and has instead been asked to attend a meeting with a senior official of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation for "consultations and clarifications" over his presence at a religious event attended by former President Jacob Zuma and Indian-origin businessman Ajay Gupta, diplomatic sources said on Friday.
South African diplomatic sources told ANI that the envoy would meet with the Director-General of DIRCO, Zane Dangor, for the consultations and clarifications.
"South Africa's High Commissioner to India has been asked to attend a meeting with the Director-General of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Zane Dangor, for consultation and clarifications around the religious event attended by former President Zuma, High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Anil Sooklal, and where Indian-origin businessman Ajay Gupta was also seen," the sources said.
"Sooklal has not been recalled as High Commissioner of South Africa to India," they added.
The clarification comes after South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said that Sooklal had been recalled by the South African government for "further consultations" following his association with Zuma and Gupta.
Lamola earlier confirmed that Sooklal was called back to headquarters for consultations and said the government was reviewing the framework governing protocol and diplomatic support extended to former presidents and deputy presidents during international travel.
"An update on High Commissioner to India, High Commissioner Anil Sooklal. We confirm that High Commissioner Anil Sooklal has been recalled to the headquarters for further consultations," Lamola said.
The minister said recommendations had been submitted to Parliament and the presidency to consider a new framework for diplomatic support provided to former leaders travelling abroad.
"We have also submitted the recommendations to Parliament and to the presidency to consider a new framework for protocol and diplomatic support to former presidents and former deputy presidents during international travel," Lamola said.
He added that the proposed framework would include a mandatory disclosure mechanism requiring former presidents and deputy presidents seeking diplomatic assistance to provide details regarding the purpose of their travel, programmes, activities, sources of funding, principal hosts, key engagements and the capacity in which they travel.
Lamola said the mechanism would allow authorities to assess possible reputational, political, diplomatic and security risks.
"This will help us avoid a situation where former presidents portray themselves as also representing South Africa's foreign policy, particularly when they have not been mandated by the sitting head of state," he said.
Sooklal, who is of Indian origin, previously served as South Africa's G20 sherpa and BRICS sherpa before being appointed as the country's High Commissioner to India.
The controversy emerged following Sooklal's presence during former South African President Jacob Zuma's visit to Haridwar in June, where Zuma met Ajay Gupta at a religious event.
During the visit, Zuma was accompanied by Sooklal at Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir, where they met Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri.
Swami Kailashanand Giri told the media that Gupta, who was associated with the ashram, was a friend of Zuma.
"Former South African President Jacob Zuma visited Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir today. He is friends with Ajay Gupta, who is a disciple and member of the ashram family," Swami Kailashanand Giri said.
The Gupta family became a central figure in South Africa's "state capture" investigations after allegations emerged that they used their close relationship with then-president Zuma to influence government decisions and benefit from state contracts.
The Gupta brothers left South Africa in 2018 after a judicial commission began investigating allegations of widespread corruption and undue influence during Zuma's presidency. (ANI
— ANI
Reader Comments
The fact that Sooklal is of Indian origin but still represents South Africa's interests shows how global our diaspora is. Hope the clarifications go well and this doesn't affect our bilateral ties. South Africa has been a good friend to India.
These Guptas have caused enough trouble everywhere. From being big businessmen in South Africa to now dragging our High Commissioner into this mess. The new framework being proposed sounds sensible — former presidents shouldn't be using diplomatic support for personal religious tours.
Diplomatic protocols are tricky, especially with former heads of state. The proposed mandatory disclosure mechanism is a smart move by South Africa. At least our envoy isn't being recalled — that would have been embarrassing for both countries.
While I understand the need for clarification, I feel a bit for Sooklal. He was just accompanying a former president at a religious event. But then again, given the Gupta corruption allegations, any association needs to be carefully explained. Let's see what comes out of the meeting.
It's good to see South Africa taking diplomatic accountability seriously. These Gupta brothers have been a stain on India's reputation abroad, being associated with corruption. Hopefully, this consultation brings clarity and our High Commissioner's name is cleared.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.