Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Namibia marks the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly three decades.

Historical Foundations of Trust and Friendship

• Shared Colonial Experience: Both nations experienced colonial rule and developed a strong bond in the post-colonial era. 
  • Their partnership is rooted in shared values of anti-colonialism, sovereignty, and self-determination.
• Support for Namibia’s Liberation: India consistently advocated for Namibia’s independence on the global stage.
  • Raised the issue in the United Nations General Assembly as early as 1946.
  • Strong support extended to the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which led the liberation struggle against apartheid South Africa.
• Diplomatic and Material Assistance: SWAPO’s first embassy abroad was established in New Delhi in 1986, highlighting India’s early recognition and commitment. India provided:
  • Material assistance to Namibian fighters.
  • Military training and strategic support.
  • Political and moral backing through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
• Political Engagement: Sam Nujoma, the founding President of Namibia and SWAPO leader, visited India 11 times. He acknowledged India’s “very vital role” in Namibia’s liberation.
• Post-Independence Ties: After Namibia’s independence in March 1990, India upgraded its Observer Mission to a High Commission.
  • In March 1994, Namibia opened a full-fledged resident Mission in New Delhi, deepening bilateral engagement.
• Past high-level visits further highlight this enduring relationship:
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited in August 1998, aiming to garner support from Namibia against potential criticism from South Africa regarding India’s nuclear tests. 
    • This diplomatic engagement helped neutralise criticism, with the Durban Declaration ultimately calling for global nuclear disarmament, an idea first proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954.
  • Former President Pranab Mukherjee visited in 2016, reiterating India’s commitment to a strong development partnership within the South-South framework.

Significance of Namibia to India

• Resource Richness and Energy Security: Namibia is a resource-rich Southern African nation. 
  • It stands as the third-largest producer of uranium globally, and one of the largest producers of lithium, zinc, and rare earth metals. 
  • These critical minerals are vital for India’s strategic infrastructure and clean energy production goals.
• Economic and Commercial Ties: Two-way trade between India and Namibia reached 654 million dollars between April and November 2023, marking a remarkable 178 percent growth. 
  • India’s exports to Namibia stood at 418 million dollars, while imports were 235 million dollars. 
  • Key trade items include mineral oil, pharmaceutical products, machinery, and cereals. 
  • India has also invested approximately 800 million dollars in Namibia, primarily in crucial sectors like zinc and diamond processing industries.
• Capacity Building and Development Assistance: India prioritises capacity building and aims to make African nations dependable rather than dependent. This is operationalised through various initiatives:
  • The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, a flagship initiative of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, provides training to Namibian defence personnel, diplomats, public health officials, and cricketers, fostering individual empowerment.
  • India has provided a 12 million dollar grant for the establishment of an ‘India Wing’ at the University of Namibia’s Ongwediwa campus, dedicated to studying India-Namibia relations and India’s global emergence.
  • India consistently acts as a frontrunner in humanitarian aid. 
    • It provided 30,000 doses of Covishield COVID-19 vaccines to Namibia in March 2021 and gifted rice for drought relief in 2017 and 2019, assisting the country during natural calamities.
• Cheetah Diplomacy: The relocation of cheetahs from Namibia to India under Project Cheetah in 2022 exemplifies a unique dimension of bilateral cooperation. 
  • This involved the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a major carnivore species, with eight cheetahs already relocated from Namibia.
• Multilateral Support: Namibia has extended its full support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
• Comprehensive Strategy: India’s engagement with Namibia is part of its broader, comprehensive strategy for the African continent, where it seeks to deepen ties in trade, development, security, and energy cooperation.

India’s Development Model vs. China’s Approach

• India’s Approach: India adopts a distinctive model of engagement, focusing on capacity building, local ownership, partnership, and fostering goodwill through moral diplomacy. 
  • This approach promotes democratic values and human rights, aiming for a long-term, sustainable, post-colonial model of South-South cooperation. 
  • India explicitly states its investments are “for Africans, not just Africa,” targeting the welfare of every individual. 
• China’s Approach: China, despite having a larger trade volume with Africa (200 billion dollars compared to India’s 100 billion dollars), often leads to debt burdens and debt trap policies, compromising the autonomy of African nations. 
  • Two of Namibia’s most productive uranium mines are already majority-owned by Chinese companies, indicating China’s resource exploitation.

India and Namibia Bilateral Relations

• Investment: India is the fourth-largest trading partner of Africa and the 10th largest FDI source for the continent. 
  • India has successfully completed 206 infrastructure projects across 43 African Union countries and has 65 more projects currently underway. 
  • Since 1996, India has invested an estimated 76 billion dollars in Africa, with projections to increase this to 150 billion dollars by 2030. 
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is also expanding India-Africa trade, fostering economic progress, poverty reduction, and employment opportunities across the continent.
• Global South Leadership: India plays a pivotal role in championing the interests of the Global South. 
  • Example: During its G20 presidency, India secured permanent membership for the African Union (AU) in the group, a clear demonstration of its leadership and commitment to collective global growth.
• Defence and Security Cooperation:The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AF-INDEX), in which Namibian defence personnel participate, enhancing their capabilities.
  • The India-Africa Defence Dialogue (2022).
  • The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Indian Ocean Region) initiative, focusing on capacity building and regional security.

Conclusion

India’s relationship with Namibia and the African continent is not merely strategic or economic; it is built on deep emotional bonds and solidarity. 

• This expansive and humanitarian view guides India’s long-term engagement, aiming to foster independent growth and mutual prosperity, making Namibia and Africa indispensable partners in India’s global foreign policy.

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