PM Modi meets Namibian president; focuses strengthening bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held delegation-level talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, reviewing the full range of India-Namibia relations.

Cooperation in key areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and critical minerals took centre stage in their discussions.

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“We also discussed how to boost linkages in trade, energy, and petrochemicals,” PM Modi said, taking to platform X, highlighting the breadth of their talks.

He expressed gratitude for Namibia’s assistance in Project Cheetah, a conservation initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs in India.

The two leaders agreed to enhance digital infrastructure and cooperation in the tech sector, strengthen bilateral defence ties and security cooperation, foster collaboration in agriculture and healthcare to promote mutual growth and promote educational exchanges and capacity-building initiatives.

The two leaders also agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in the critical minerals sector and boost trade linkages and cooperation in energy and petrochemicals.

PM Modi’s visit marks a significant milestone in India-Namibia relations, with both nations committed to deepening their partnership. The talks underscore India’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with African nations, particularly in areas of mutual interest.

This visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Namibia in nearly three decades and only the third such trip overall. The visit underscores the deep-rooted historical ties between India and Namibia, with India having supported Namibia’s independence movement and hosted the first overseas office of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1986.