India's relationship with Namibia is shifting from ideological solidarity to strategic partnership, with a focus on environmental goals, digital payments, and economic ties. The partnership is strengthening in areas like uranium, defense, health, and IT, offering a sustainable alternative to global players.
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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU
India views its strong and collaborative relationship with resource-rich Namibia as a gateway for expanding its strategic and economic partnerships across the African continent.
1946: India first raised the issue of Namibia's independence at the United Nations General Assembly.
1986: South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), which led Namibia's liberation struggle, established first embassy abroad in New Delhi.
1989-90: Indian Army Lt. Gen. Dewan Prem Chand led the UN peacekeeping force (UNTAG) deployed in Namibia to monitor the peace process and elections.
1990: India established full diplomatic relations with independent Namibia, upgrading its Observer Mission to a full-fledged High Commission.
1994: Namibia opened its resident Mission in New Delhi.
2021: India gifted 30,000 doses of Covishield vaccines to Namibia to aid its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: Namibia translocated eight cheetahs to India's Kuno National Park, mark the world's first intercontinental translocation of a major carnivore species.
Recent Milestones
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic state visit to Namibia in July 2025, the first by an Indian PM in 27 years.
Both leaders signed agreements on health, entrepreneurship development, and cooperation in digital technology (including UPI), defence, agriculture, education, and critical minerals.
Namibia joined the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuel Alliance.
President of Namibia conferred the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia's highest civilian award, to PM Modi.
Strategic Location: Namibia's location in Southern Africa provides strategic access to the Atlantic Ocean and plays a role in regional stability.
Critical Mineral Resources: Namibia possesses rich deposits of critical minerals, including diamonds, uranium, copper, zinc, lead, and rare earth elements, which India requires to fuel its growing economy and diversify its raw material sourcing.
Energy Partnerships: Namibia has potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen, opportunities for India's energy transition goals.
Market for Indian Exports and Investments: Namibia represents a potential market for Indian goods, including pharmaceuticals, machinery, and automotive components.
Voice of the Global South: Namibia participates in forums representing the Global South and shares India's vision for a more equitable global order.
Defense and Security Cooperation: Collaboration in defence and maritime security is increasing, including defence training and joint military exercises, contributes to regional security and stability.
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About Namibia Location: Southwestern coast of Africa Capital: Windhoek Neighbours: Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean Major Rivers: Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi, and Orange. Deserts: Namib and Kalahari. Mountains: Brandberg (highest peak). Climate: Arid to semi-arid. Languages: English (official language), Oshiwambo (most widely spoken indigenous language). Key Economic Sectors: Mining (diamonds and uranium), tourism, agriculture (livestock farming, crop production), and fishing. |
India's policy towards NamibiaHistorical Solidarity: India supported Namibia's liberation struggle, providing moral, material, and diplomatic backing to SWAPO.
South-South Cooperation: India supports South-South cooperation, viewing its engagement with Namibia (and Africa broadly) as a partnership among equals, focusing on shared growth and development.
Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (HRD): India extends support for HRD and capacity building in Namibia through programs like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships. Namibians receive training in defence, IT, health, and other fields.
Development Assistance: India provides development assistance, including Lines of Credit for various projects, humanitarian aid (e.g., rice and maize during droughts in 2024), and support for health and education infrastructure.
Economic Engagement: India aims to deepen economic ties through increased trade and investment, focusing on sectors like mining, energy, health, and infrastructure development.
Digital Partnerships: India promotes digital cooperation, recently Namibia become the first African country to sign a licensing agreement to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology for its digital payments system.
Multilateral Cooperation: India collaborates with Namibia on global issues of mutual interest, including combating terrorism and amplifying the voice of the Global South in international forums like the G20, where the African Union is now a permanent member.
Development Partner: India provides development assistance, focusing on capacity building, and infrastructure development, which aligns with Namibia's national development plans like "Vision 2030" and the "Harambee Prosperity Plan".
Source of Technical Expertise and Training: Namibia benefits from India's expertise in fields like IT, digital technology, agriculture, and healthcare through training programs and knowledge sharing.
Investment and Trade Partner: India is a growing market for Namibia's exports, including minerals like diamonds, pearls, and precious stones, and a source of imports like pharmaceuticals, machinery, and petroleum products.
Humanitarian and Health Support: India provides humanitarian assistance, such as food aid during droughts, and vital health support like COVID-19 vaccines and health infrastructure assistance.
Technology Transfer: India shares its experience and technology, such as drone usage in agriculture and UPI digital payment technology, which Namibia is adopting for its own development.
Limited Bilateral Trade Volume: Total two-way trade in 2024–25 was $568.40 million: export $327.21 million, and imports $241.19 million.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Namibia faces infrastructure constraints, including transportation limitations, which hinder trade and investment flows.
Competition from Other Global Powers: Other global powers, particularly China, are active in Africa, including Namibia, intensifying competition for resources, markets, and influence. India needs to ensure its strategic ambitions are met by sustained investment.
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Delays: Business ventures and investments face bureaucratic hurdles and delays, impacting the ease of doing business in Namibia.
Limited Awareness and Information: Businesses and citizens in both countries lack sufficient awareness about the opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration, hindering broader engagement.
Increase Economic Engagement: Expedite the negotiation and implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Enhance Capacity Building and Skill Development: Scale up ITEC and ICCR programs, customizing training as per Namibia's specific development needs, including digital skills, healthcare management, and agricultural techniques like drone applications.
Deepen Strategic and Defence Cooperation: Expand defence training programs and joint exercises to enhance maritime security and address regional threats.
Amplify Global South Voice: Collaborate on global issues, including UN reforms, climate change, combating terrorism, and promote a multipolar world order.
Promote Innovation and Technology Transfer: Share experience and technology in areas like space technology, renewable energy, and agricultural innovations to support Namibia's development goals.
Regular High-Level Engagements: Maintain high-level visits and meetings between leaders and officials to review progress and identify new areas of cooperation.
India's strategic partnership with Namibia is shifting from ideological solidarity to a pragmatic phase, focusing on environmental goals, digital payments, and economic collaboration.
Source: THE HINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION In the context of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, consider the following statements: 1. It operates on a bilateral basis, with no regional or multilateral collaboration. 2. ITEC's reach spans over 160 countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: ITEC, started in 1964, is mainly bilateral in nature, however it has evolved and now regional and multilateral cooperation, expanded to organizations like the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It has also partnered with the Economic Commission for Africa, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and UNIDO, among others. Statement 2 is correct: ITEC, and its allied program SCAAP (Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme), invite participants from 161 countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands to share in India's developmental experience. |
"Cheetah Diplomacy" refers to the translocation of cheetahs from Namibia to India as part of Project Cheetah, marking a unique milestone in wildlife conservation cooperation.
Namibia is located in southwestern Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
Namibia is bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa.
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