New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- A proposed preferential trade agreement (PTA) between India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) could become a template for a more ambitious trade agreement between the world's fastest-growing major economy and Africa, South Africa's high commissioner to India Anil Sooklal said in an interview with Mint. SACU is a five-member bloc comprising South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini.

"Getting the SACU agreement inked, hopefully within a year, can be a template for a more ambitious India-Africa trade agreement," he said.

This is the first time India is negotiating a trade pact with a regional bloc in Africa. Experts agreed that a successful conclusion of the pact could provide the foundation for...