Modi visit to Namibia to deepen bilateral ties

India&#039;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Namibia this week as part of an international tour to several countries in Africa and South America.Modi is scheduled to address Namibian parliament on Wednesday.Last week, the Indian premier visited Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, and on Friday, he received a warm welcome in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over the weekend, Modi took part in the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.According to the Indian government&#039;s national public service broadcaster, Modi will meet with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah "to map out a new roadmap for cooperation to benefit the people, the regions and the broader Global South."In a statement, Modi said: "The visit to Namibia aims to strengthen ties with a trusted partner with whom we share a history of resistance against colonialism."He added: "President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I will discuss ways to deepen relations across various sectors. It will also be an honour to address the Namibian parliament."Wednesday’s parliamentary session marks only the second time a sitting Indian head of state has addressed the Namibian parliament, following Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s visit with a delegation of senior Indian officials in June 2016.Bilateral trade growingIndia’s Ministry of External Affairs noted last year that bilateral trade between the two countries has shown steady growth.Between April and November 2023, two-way trade reached US$654 million – a 178% increase from the US$278 million recorded during the same period the previous year. The Indian government said Namibia could benefit from Indian expertise in information technology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and small businesses.Last year, the Bank of Namibia signed an agreement with International Payments Limited (NIPL) – the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) – to develop an instant payment system for Namibia.According to the National Assembly, Namibian lawmakers will be able to listen to Modi’s formal address, but no question-and-answer session will follow. The event will be broadcast live on official parliamentary channels and by the national broadcaster.World leadersWhen Modi, who has led one of the world&#039;s most populous nations for over a decade, addresses parliament this week, he will follow in the footsteps of a number of high-profile world leaders who have previously delivered keynote speeches at the Tintenpalast.According to parliament, Angola’s long-time leader José Eduardo dos Santos addressed both houses of Namibia’s legislature on 25 October 2007, followed days later by former South African president Thabo Mbeki on 30 October 2007.In July 2008, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, then president of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state, also took to the podium. Botswana’s former president Seretse Khama Ian Khama addressed the Namibian parliament in June 2012, while another former South African president, Jacob Zuma, did so in 2013.Other notable world leaders to have spoken to Namibian leaders include South African icon Nelson Mandela and Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.Germany’s former foreign minister Heiko Maas addressed Namibia’s parliament in 2021.– augetto@nmh-hub.com.na

Modi visit to Namibia to deepen bilateral ties

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-15

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Modi visit to Namibia to deepen bilateral ties

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-15

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