Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday landed in Windhoek to begin a historic first visit to Namibia, placing a symbolic capstone on his five-nation diplomatic tour across the Global South. Greeted with a traditional welcome, the Indian Prime Minister also struck a rhythmic chord by trying his hand at playing the Namibian ceremonial drums on the tarmac.
“This visit marks the deepening of our time-tested friendship with Africa,” a senior diplomat from the Indian delegation remarked, as Modi posted on X: “Namibia is a valued and trusted African partner with whom we seek to boost bilateral cooperation. Looking forward to meeting President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and addressing the Namibian Parliament today.”
India’s engagement with Namibia dates back decades, with New Delhi being one of the earliest supporters of Namibian independence. The current visit — the first by an Indian prime minister in 27 years, is expected to usher in a renewed phase of economic and strategic alignment.
High Commissioner Rahul Shrivastava, speaking to local media, cited India’s growing interest in Namibia’s critical mineral reserves and recent oil and gas discoveries. “We are exploring the possibility of importing uranium from Namibia,” he said. “The relationships between India and Namibia are very good because we started long before Namibia got independence in 1946… these good relations have transformed into good economic relations.”
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Public sector undertakings from India are expected to express investment interest in sectors ranging from mining to energy. The visit is also likely to pave the way for more robust trade and technology partnerships between the two countries.
Modi’s five-nation tour began in Ghana on July 2, followed by stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil, where he attended the BRICS Summit and held bilateral talks with President Lula da Silva.
In each of these stops, Modi has sought to strengthen India’s voice within the Global South and forge deeper economic links, while also placing emphasis on India's evolving strategic posture in the energy and minerals sector.
The final leg in Namibia is emblematic of this pivot. With its uranium reserves, recent petroleum finds, and a stable political climate, the southern African nation holds increasing relevance to New Delhi’s long-term strategic calculus.
The prime minister is expected to address the Namibian Parliament and hold detailed talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during his stay. Key announcements concerning bilateral trade, energy cooperation, and mineral sourcing are anticipated.
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