PM Modi's Namibia visit highlights India's strategic commitment to Africa, emphasizing energy, critical minerals, trade, and development. This historic trip strengthens deep historical ties and promotes a unique South-South cooperation model. India prioritizes African well-being, promoting sustainable partnerships, offering mutual growth, and standing apart from other engagement approaches.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Namibia aims to build strong, respectful partnerships with African nations.
The Indian Prime Minister visited Namibia after 27 years. During his visit, he spoke to the Namibian Parliament and confirmed that India's partnership with Africa focuses on talking and cooperating, not on trying to control them.
Namibia also presented him their highest civilian award, called the "Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis," making him the first Indian leader to receive it.
Namibia also agreed to join two important global groups India supports: the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
It is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border touches the Atlantic Ocean. To its north, Angola and Zambia, while Botswana sits to its east. South Africa borders Namibia on both its eastern and southern sides.
It is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa. It has several big deserts, including the Namib, the Kalahari, the Succulent Karoo, and the Nama Karoo.
The Zambezi, Okavango, and Kunene are important rivers that flow through Namibia.
The Welwitschia Mirabilis is Namibia's national plant. It is a very rare and ancient plant that grows only in the Namib Desert in Namibia and southern Angola. Namibia's highest civilian award, the "Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis," takes its name from this special plant.
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India was one of the first countries to bring up Namibia’s independence at the United Nations in 1946. India also provided diplomatic support to the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which led Namibia’s fight for freedom. India and Namibia established full diplomatic relations in 1990 after Namibia gained independence. Namibia then opened its own official office in New Delhi in 1994.
In 2022, India moved 8 cheetahs from Namibia to India. This project marked the world's first intercontinental movement of a large meat-eating animal species.
India provides scholarships to Namibian citizens through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, and also offers annual training spots for Namibian defense personnel.
Since 1996, an Indian Air Force (IAF) team has trained Namibian Air Force helicopter pilots. India also provided Namibia with 2 Chetak and 2 Cheetah helicopters.
Trade between the two countries reached USD 568.40 million in 2024–25. Key areas of trade include mining, energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, and general trade.
India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), where Namibia acts as a coordinator, are currently discussing a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to make trade easier.
Africa's position is super important because it sits at the intersection of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. This location is vital for keeping India's sea trade routes safe and for increasing India's naval power. India even established its first overseas naval base in Mauritius in 2024 as part of its "Necklace of Diamonds" strategy, to protect sea lanes and fight against piracy and terrorism.
Trade between India and Africa reached USD 98 billion in 2022–23, with USD 43 billion coming just from mining and minerals. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which started in 2021, creates a huge single market of 1.4 billion people, which increases the opportunities for Indian exports and investments.
Africa is rich in critical minerals. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone provides over 70% of the world’s cobalt, which is essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. Nigeria and Angola also help meet India’s energy needs, and Africa’s share in India’s crude oil imports has risen due to unpredictable global supply.
With its 54 nations, Africa forms a powerful group in global discussions. It is becoming a key geopolitical partner for India, as both support each other’s bids for greater representation in the UN Security Council. As global power balances shift, a strong partnership between India and Africa helps to balance the influence of other major powers like China.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. "Africa's mineral resources are crucial for India's clean energy transition." Critically analyze. 150 words |
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