Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 9, 2025, marking his first official visit to the southern African nation and the third by an Indian Prime Minister. This visit, part of a five-nation tour, underscores India’s focus on deepening ties with Namibia, a key partner in Africa, through discussions on trade, energy, and strategic cooperation.
Received with a ceremonial welcome at Hosea Kutako International Airport by Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Modi engaged in a cultural gesture by playing traditional Namibian drums, symbolizing the warm ties between the two nations. He is set to hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first woman president, to explore avenues for collaboration in areas like uranium imports, diamond trade, and digital infrastructure. Modi will also address the Namibian Parliament, a significant step to strengthen diplomatic relations, and pay homage to Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, at Heroes’ Acre.
India and Namibia share a history rooted in India’s support for Namibia’s independence movement in 1946 and the establishment of diplomatic ties post-independence in 1990. Recent posts on X highlight India’s interest in Namibia’s vast uranium and lithium reserves, with Indian public sector units eyeing investments in critical minerals. The visit also aims to counterbalance China’s influence in the region, where Beijing has established a strategic partnership with Namibia, including Belt and Road Initiative agreements.
Bilateral trade between India and Namibia, valued at $653 million recently, includes mineral oil, pharmaceuticals, and machinery. Discussions may pave the way for direct diamond trade, bypassing intermediaries in London and Antwerp, and enhance cooperation in healthcare, education, and defense. India’s contributions, such as the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in IT and training programs under ITEC, reflect ongoing efforts to build capacity and foster people-to-people connections.
The Indian diaspora in Namibia, numbering around 450, welcomed Modi with enthusiasm, showcasing cultural ties through yoga performances and community initiatives like the India-Namibia Friendship Association. This visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 27 years, reaffirms India’s commitment to South-South cooperation and positions Namibia as a vital partner in India’s broader African engagement strategy.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 9th, 2025
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