PM Modi Gets Grand Welcome in Namibia, Talks on Oil, Minerals, and Technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome with a 21-gun salute in Namibia on Wednesday as he began his one-day official visit. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office in March, greeted him warmly before their private and delegation-level meetings.

PM Modi landed in Windhoek as the last stop of his five-nation tour. At the airport, he was welcomed with traditional music and dance. He even joined the performers and played Namibian drums, delighting everyone.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to Namibia and only the third by an Indian Prime Minister in 27 years. He also paid tribute to Dr. Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding President.

After arriving, PM Modi shared his excitement on X, saying, “Namibia is a valued and trusted African partner with whom we seek to boost bilateral cooperation.”

The two leaders discussed expanding ties in energy, healthcare, education, digital technology, and development support. PM Modi will also address a Joint Session of Namibia’s Parliament, marking a key moment in India-Namibia relations.

India recognised Namibia before it got independence and supported its freedom struggle at the UN in 1946. Today, trade between the two countries focuses on minerals like zinc and diamonds. Namibia also has uranium, copper, cobalt, rare earths, lithium, graphite, and tantalum, which are important for India.

India had earlier taken some cheetahs from Namibia to relocate them to Kuno National Park. During this visit, both countries plan to enhance cooperation on Unified Payment Interoperability following a tech agreement between Namibia’s central bank and NPCI.

Namibia has recently found new oil fields, and both countries aim to work together in hydrocarbons. Namibia also wants to partner with India in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, and low-cost healthcare solutions like Janaushadhi.