Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a ceremonial welcome in Namibia, marking the end of his five-nation tour and the first visit by an Indian PM in nearly three decades. The welcome ceremony took place at the State House, featuring the Indian national anthem.
PM Modi paid his respects at the National War Memorial, ‘Heroes’ Acre,’ created by President Sam Nujoma to honor national heroes.
During talks, PM Modi and President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reviewed the full scope of India-Namibia relations, discussing collaboration in areas like digital technology, defense, security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and critical minerals. They also explored ways to boost trade, energy, and petrochemical ties. PM Modi expressed his gratitude for Namibia’s help with Project Cheetah.
PM Modi received a warm welcome at Hosea Kutako International Airport and met with members of the Indian diaspora, expressing his appreciation for their efforts to maintain their cultural heritage. The visit is anticipated to deepen the relationship between India and Namibia, a relationship based on India’s early support for Namibian independence.
Namibia’s rich mineral reserves, including uranium, copper, and rare earth minerals, make it a prominent player in the mining industry. The 2023-24 bilateral trade between India and Namibia reached USD 814 million, with Indian exports being a major part of that. Indian investments are mainly in the mining sector in Namibia. The transfer of cheetahs from Namibia to India shows the trust between the two countries. The two nations are working to enhance cooperation in mining, energy, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Discussions are ongoing regarding a Preferential Trade Arrangement within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with Namibia as the coordinator.