Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Windhoek, Namibia, on Wednesday, marking the final leg of his five-nation tour, which also included Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil.
Notably, this is PM Modi's first-ever visit to Namibia and only the third by an Indian prime minister to the African nation, underscoring a renewed diplomatic focus on Africa and the Global South.
Shortly after his arrival, he took to microblogging site X, writing, "Landed in Windhoek a short while ago. 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."
PM Modi's visit comes at the invitation of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The leaders are expected to hold bilateral discussions aimed at deepening trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.
Key topics on the agenda include critical mineral exports, energy collaboration, and defense procurement. India is particularly interested in Namibia’s uranium resources, recent oil and gas discoveries, and rare earth minerals essential for its clean energy and tech ambitions.
It should be noted that India is also looking to scale up defense ties and capacity-building programs, with Namibian interest in procuring Indian defense equipment. The visit is also significant in the context of "Project Cheetah", India’s ambitious wildlife relocation initiative, as Namibia was the original source country for cheetahs reintroduced into Indian wildlife sanctuaries.
Indian officials hinted that talks could lead to a “Project Cheetah 2,” with more cheetahs potentially being sent from Namibia.
Moreover, beyond economic and environmental issues, the visit carries symbolic and historic weight.
PM Modi is scheduled to pay homage at Heroes Acre to Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, and address the Namibian Parliament, a gesture underscoring India’s longstanding support for Namibia’s independence movement.
India was among the first countries to support Namibian freedom in 1946 and has since maintained warm diplomatic ties.
India’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, described the visit as a “reaffirmation of trust” and highlighted India’s role as a key partner in the Global South. He also underscored the growing relevance of India-Namibia relations amid global competition for critical resources and New Delhi's efforts to assert leadership in South-South cooperation.
The Prime Minister's visit follows earlier stops in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil.
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