https://sputniknews.in/20250710/india-namibia-strategic-relationship-on-the-rise-9424455.html
India-Namibia: Strategic Relationship on the Rise
India-Namibia: Strategic Relationship on the Rise
Sputnik India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Namibia — the first by an Indian leader in nearly three decades — signals a deepening partnership that goes... 10.07.2025, Sputnik India
2025-07-10T11:32+0530
2025-07-10T11:32+0530
2025-07-10T11:32+0530
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India and Namibia share a history rooted in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. While India was fighting British rule, Namibia faced German colonial rule followed by South African apartheid control. During the 1970s and 1980s, India supported Namibia’s independence movement, actively backing SWAPO at the United Nations and refusing to recognize South Africa’s occupation of Namibian territory.Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, India was among the first to establish diplomatic relations, opening a High Commission in Windhoek in 1994.Cultural and People-to-People TiesApproximately 3,000 people of Indian origin — mostly from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu — now live in Namibia. They run hospitals, small businesses, and hotels while also promoting Indian culture through festivals like Diwali, community cricket tournaments, and Bollywood-themed events.Defense and Education CooperationNamibian defense personnel have received training in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. This includes areas such as defense technology, cyber security, and leadership development. A notable milestone was reached in 2009 when India helped train Namibia’s first female fighter pilot.Expanding Trade and Tech PartnershipsBilateral trade reached $814 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year. Namibia exports key resources like uranium and diamonds to India, while importing Indian pharmaceuticals, machinery, and IT services.India is also playing a role in building Namibia’s digital future — contributing to capacity-building in artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and vocational training. A significant development in this area is the partnership between India’s National Payments Corporation (NPCI) and the Bank of Namibia, which aims to create a real-time digital payments system modeled on India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
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narendra modi, india, namibia, south africa
narendra modi, india, namibia, south africa
India-Namibia: Strategic Relationship on the Rise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Namibia — the first by an Indian leader in nearly three decades — signals a deepening partnership that goes beyond formal diplomacy. It’s a moment that reconnects two countries with a shared past and a growing future together.
India and Namibia share a history rooted in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. While India was fighting British rule, Namibia faced German colonial rule followed by South African apartheid control. During the 1970s and 1980s, India supported Namibia’s independence movement, actively backing SWAPO at the United Nations and refusing to recognize South Africa’s occupation of Namibian territory.
Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, India was among the first to establish diplomatic relations, opening a High Commission in Windhoek in 1994.
Cultural and People-to-People Ties
Approximately 3,000 people of Indian origin — mostly from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu — now live in Namibia. They run hospitals, small businesses, and hotels while also promoting Indian culture through festivals like Diwali, community cricket tournaments, and Bollywood-themed events.
Defense and Education Cooperation
Namibian defense personnel have received training in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. This includes areas such as defense technology, cyber security, and leadership development. A notable milestone was reached in 2009 when India helped train Namibia’s first female fighter pilot.
Expanding Trade and Tech Partnerships
Bilateral trade reached $814 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year. Namibia exports key resources like uranium and diamonds to India, while importing Indian pharmaceuticals, machinery, and IT services.
India is also playing a role in building Namibia’s digital future — contributing to capacity-building in artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and vocational training. A significant development in this area is the partnership between India’s National Payments Corporation (NPCI) and the Bank of Namibia, which aims to create a real-time digital payments system modeled on India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
