India and Namibia Forge Stronger Bonds: A New Era of Cooperation

NewsDaily July 10, 2025

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India and Namibia Forge Stronger Bonds: A New Era of Cooperation


India's Prime Minister recently addressed the Namibian Parliament, celebrating deep historical ties and announcing significant new partnerships. From digital payment innovations to healthcare advancements and vital conservation efforts, this visit marks a pivotal moment for enhanced collaboration between the two nations, rooted in shared democratic values and a vision for the Global South.


Windhoek, Namibia – 09 July 2025 – In a powerful address to the Namibian Parliament, the Indian Prime Minister,Shri Narendra Modi  reaffirmed the strong and enduring friendship between India and Namibia, outlining an ambitious future of cooperation across crucial sectors. The visit, marked by the conferment of Namibia's highest civilian award upon the Indian Prime Minister, underscored a shared history of struggle against colonial rule and a mutual commitment to democratic ideals.

"It is the power of India's Constitution that a daughter from a poor tribal family is today the President of India. It is this very Constitution that gave someone like me, the chance to become Prime Minister. Not once, not twice, but three times," Modi stated, drawing parallels with Namibia's recent historic election of its first woman President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in November 2024. This resonated deeply with the principles of equality and opportunity championed by both nations.

A Legacy of Support and Shared Values


The Prime Minister paid tribute to Namibia's founding father, the late President Sam Nujoma, acknowledging India's steadfast support during Namibia's liberation struggle. He highlighted how India, even before its own independence, raised the issue of South West Africa at the United Nations and hosted SWAPO's first diplomatic office abroad. Notably, an Indian, Lieutenant General Diwan Prem Chand, led the UN peacekeeping force in Namibia, a testament to India's commitment in action.

"India and Namibia have much in common. We both fought colonial rule. We both value dignity and freedom. Our Constitutions guide us to uphold equality, liberty, and justice," the Prime Minister articulated, emphasizing the shared journey and aspirations of the two Global South nations.

Pillars of Future Partnership: Digitalisation, Health, and Entrepreneurship


The address laid out concrete plans for future collaboration, focusing on Namibia's Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

  • Digital Revolution with UPI: A groundbreaking announcement saw Namibia become one of the first countries in the region to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This will revolutionise digital transactions, enabling faster and more accessible payments for everyday Namibians. UPI's international arm, NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), has been actively expanding its global footprint, with partnerships established in 10 countries including France, Singapore, UAE, and others, facilitating convenient cross-border transactions and remittances.

  • Empowering Health Initiatives: Health emerged as a key pillar, with India offering its expertise and resources. India's "Ayushman Bharat" health insurance scheme, which covers nearly 500 million people, demonstrates its commitment to universal healthcare. The Prime Minister announced India's readiness to supply Namibia with a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine for advanced cancer care, a machine developed in India and deployed in 15 countries, assisting nearly half a million patients. Furthermore, Namibia was invited to join India's "Jan Aushadhi" programme, which has drastically reduced medicine costs in India by 50 to 80 percent, saving patients nearly $4.5 billion US dollars in healthcare costs to date and benefitting over 1 million Indians daily through its more than 14,000 stores nationwide as of June 2024.

  • Fostering Entrepreneurship: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia, aiming to provide mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities for aspiring business leaders. This builds on India's long-standing commitment to capacity building, with over 1700 Namibians having already benefited from scholarships and training programmes in India.

Conservation Success and Global Alliances


A heartwarming highlight of the speech was the update on the cheetahs gifted by Namibia to India for reintroduction into Kuno National Park. The Prime Minister happily reported, "They have sent a message for you: 'Inima Aishe Oyili Nawa' – Everything is fine." The cheetah population in Kuno National Park had grown to 26 by March 2025, including 14 cubs born in India, indicating their successful adaptation.

India also welcomed Namibia's decision to join key global initiatives:


  • Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Namibia's acceptance letter for joining the CDRI, which currently has over 40 member countries and 8 international organizations, signifies a shared commitment to building robust infrastructure against climate and disaster risks.

  • Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA): Namibia's entry into the GBA, an initiative launched during the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023 with over 20 member countries and 12 international organizations, highlights a joint effort towards sustainable energy solutions.

  • International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Namibia's participation in the IBCA, which focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species globally, reinforces the dedication to wildlife protection.

A Future Forged in Partnership


The Prime Minister reiterated India's "Ten Principles of Engagement with Africa," emphasising respect, equality, and mutual benefit. He stressed that India's goal is to build together, not to take, and to support Africa's Agenda 2063 for industrialisation. India's development partnership in Africa is worth over 12 billion dollars, fostering local skills, jobs, and innovation.

Concluding on a note of optimism, the Prime Minister expressed his hope for the future of India-Namibia relations, symbolised by the two nations co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup. He jovially offered cricket tips, underscoring the friendly and cooperative spirit that defines this dynamic partnership.(source-pib & pmo)

Namibi's highest civilian award,"The Order of The Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis" is also awarded to the Indian Prime Minister,Shri Narendra Modi by the Namibia's first- women President,Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

On his X, Modi...


 #IndiaNamibia #GlobalSouth #DigitalPayments #Healthcare #Conservation #Diplomacy #AfricaIndia #InternationalCooperation

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