Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Namibia on July 9, marking the final leg of his five-nation tour and a significant milestone in India-Namibia relations. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Namibia in nearly three decades and only the third in history. At the invitation of Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the visit is expected to deepen bilateral ties in trade, energy, and digital infrastructure, particularly in critical minerals and clean energy.
Modi’s visit is strategically aligned with India’s push to secure access to vital resources for its energy transition and technology sectors. Namibia’s rich reserves of uranium, diamonds, cobalt, and rare earth elements offer enormous potential for collaboration. The leaders will hold bilateral talks to map out a new cooperation roadmap benefiting not only the two countries but also the broader Global South.
A key highlight of the visit will be discussions around direct trade in rough diamonds. Namibia, home to the world’s richest marine diamond deposits with over 80 million carats, currently exports stones via trading hubs such as London and Antwerp. Modi’s visit may pave the way for direct sales to India, particularly significant since Indian firms already operate diamond processing units in Namibia. This could enhance value chains and reduce third-party dependencies.
India has invested over $800 million in Namibia in sectors including mining, manufacturing, services, and diamond processing. Bilateral trade stood at $650 million in 2023. India’s key exports include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and rice, while imports are largely composed of diamonds, ores, and metals. Direct mineral trade and new strategic agreements could significantly raise trade volumes.
The uranium sector is another pillar of strategic interest. As one of the world’s top uranium producers, Namibia is poised to play a crucial role in India’s civilian nuclear programme. Discussions are expected on long-term supply agreements, helping India meet growing energy demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Beyond minerals and energy, digital cooperation will feature prominently in the talks. India is looking to implement its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia as part of its broader mission to export digital public infrastructure to the Global South. This move would promote financial inclusion and fintech collaboration, signaling a new phase in technological partnership.
The symbolic significance of the visit is equally strong. India was among the earliest supporters of Namibia’s independence movement, advocating for it at the United Nations. Modi is scheduled to address a Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament, his first such speech in the country in 27 years, and pay homage to Dr Sam Nujoma, the Founding Father of Namibia. These gestures reinforce the historical ties and shared anti-colonial legacy between the two nations.
Modi’s engagements will reaffirm India’s commitment to historic friendships while forging a forward-looking agenda in energy, digital innovation, and resource security. The Namibia leg of the tour is being seen as one of the most strategically significant, not just for its economic potential but also for its alignment with India’s larger vision of becoming a clean energy and technology leader.
Modi’s Namibia stop marks the final leg of a five-nation tour that includes Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. While the overall tour underscores India’s global outreach, the visit to Namibia stands out for its focus on resource security, clean energy, and a renewed commitment to Africa.
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