South Africa's foreign minister has proposed new rules requiring greater transparency around foreign trips by former heads of state, after ex-President Jacob Zuma sparked controversy by meeting businessman Ajay Gupta during a visit to India last month. The Gupta brothers were at the centre of the "state capture" corruption scandal that contributed to Zuma's downfall, and the meeting prompted accusations that Zuma was disrespecting South Africa, with one minister saying he had shown the country the "middle finger".

Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola said his department had submitted a recommendation to parliament and the presidency for new protocols requiring former leaders to provide full details of planned trips in advance, allowing officials to assess reputational, political, diplomatic and security risks. The India visit saw Zuma, 84, photographed with Ajay Gupta at a temple alongside South Africa's high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, who has since been recalled; both Sooklal and the Guptas deny wrongdoing. It is not the first such controversy: last year Zuma, now leader of the opposition MK party, angered the government by backing Morocco's claims over Western Sahara during a visit there, prompting a formal diplomatic protest.