Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a historic address to the Namibian Parliament on Wednesday, reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to Africa as a partner in growth, emphasizing cooperation over competition. He underscored that India’s engagement with Africa is rooted in respect, equality, and mutual benefit—guided by shared values and a common future.
“In 2018, I laid out ten principles for our engagement with Africa,” PM Modi said. “Today, I reaffirm our full commitment to them. We seek not to compete, but to cooperate. Our goal is to build together, grow together.”
India’s development partnership with Africa, valued at over $12 billion, has focused on building local skills, creating jobs, and supporting innovation. PM Modi backed Africa’s Agenda 2063 for industrialisation, expressing readiness to expand ties in defense, security, and value-added industries, moving beyond Africa being seen merely as a source of raw materials.
Key Announcements and Highlights:
- COVID-19 Support & Healthcare: PM Modi recalled India’s solidarity with Africa during the pandemic, supplying vaccines and medicines when many others withheld them. Under the Aarogya Maitri initiative, India is ready to supply Namibia with a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine for advanced cancer care. He also invited Namibia to join the Jan Aushadhi scheme to access affordable medicines, which has saved Indian patients over $4.5 billion.
- Digital Collaboration: Namibia is among the first nations in Africa to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a move PM Modi hailed as revolutionary for digital transactions across the region. “Soon, a Himba grandmother in Kunene or a shopkeeper in Katutura will be able to go digital with just a tap,” he said.
- Trade and Economic Ties: Bilateral trade has now crossed $800 million, with new momentum expected through entrepreneurship support. PM Modi announced the establishment of a new Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia to support young innovators.
- Education and Capacity Building: Over 1,700 Namibians have benefitted from Indian scholarships and training. India’s support includes the Centre of Excellence in IT, the India Wing at JEDS Campus, and defense training programs.
- Climate and Multilateralism: Modi stressed stronger cooperation in disaster resilience and sustainable development. Namibia has now joined India-led initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuel Alliance. He also reiterated the need for reforming global institutions and elevating voices from the Global South.
- Honour and Recognition: In a symbolic gesture of deepening ties, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred on PM Modi the country’s highest civilian award—“Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis”. Modi described it as “a symbol of friendship between our peoples.”
Shared Values and Historical Ties:
PM Modi reflected on the parallel histories of India and Namibia—both having fought colonialism—and noted the shared commitment to liberty, dignity, and justice as enshrined in their Constitutions. “We are part of the Global South, and our people share the same hopes and dreams,” he said.
Concluding his address with a light-hearted nod to Namibia’s passion for cricket, he wished the country success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup, evoking enthusiastic applause by offering India’s assistance if “your Eagles need cricket tips.”
PM Modi received a standing ovation from the Namibian Parliament. In a post on X, he described his speech as an honour and reflected on the “positivity and warmth” from Namibian MPs.
His visit to Namibia marked the final stop of a five-nation diplomatic tour, which also included Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil—strengthening India’s global partnerships with the Global South.
