PM Modi’s Historic Visit to Namibia: Focus on Uranium Imports, Oil & Gas Exploration, and Strategic Partnerships
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant visit to Namibia on Tuesday, following the conclusion of his two-day diplomatic engagement in Brazil. This state visit marks a historic moment as it is PM Modi’s first trip to Namibia and only the third visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the southwestern African nation. The visit is being made at the formal invitation of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, signaling a renewed chapter in India-Namibia bilateral relations.
India Eyes Uranium, Oil, Gas, and Critical Minerals
Ahead of the high-level diplomatic talks, India’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Mr. Rahul Srivastava, revealed key strategic interests that India intends to pursue during this visit. Speaking to the media, Srivastava stated that India is actively considering the import of uranium from Namibia—a nation that holds significant reserves of this crucial nuclear fuel. With India continuing to expand its civil nuclear energy program, securing a stable and long-term uranium supply is a top priority.
In addition to uranium, India is closely monitoring recent developments in Namibia’s energy sector, particularly the discovery of oil and gas reserves. These energy resources have opened up new avenues for investment and bilateral cooperation. “We are very interested in Namibia’s recent oil and gas discoveries,” said Srivastava, noting that Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) are evaluating investment opportunities in these sectors.
Moreover, India has expressed keen interest in Namibia’s wealth of critical minerals, which are essential for technology manufacturing, clean energy, and defense industries. “India and Namibia have shared cordial relations for decades, and we want to take our economic engagement to the next level by exploring trade in critical minerals and strategic commodities,” the High Commissioner added.
Strengthening Economic and Defense Ties
This visit is particularly significant as it comes after a long gap—27 years since the last visit by an Indian Prime Minister. It underscores India’s intent to strengthen its diplomatic, economic, and strategic footprint in Africa.
The Indian High Commissioner highlighted that trade and investment will be major themes of discussion. Indian PSUs are looking to invest in Namibian industries, especially in sectors aligned with India’s global energy and technology goals. The defense sector is also on the agenda, with Namibia showing interest in procuring Indian-made defense equipment. The two countries are expected to explore enhanced defense cooperation, which could include training, joint exercises, and defense exports.
Capacity building remains another strong pillar of India-Namibia cooperation. Through its development partnerships and training programs, India has consistently supported skill development and human resource advancement in Namibia. This dimension is expected to receive renewed focus during PM Modi’s discussions with Namibian leaders.
Cultural Diplomacy and Project Cheetah 2.0
Prime Minister Modi’s itinerary in Namibia includes high-level delegation talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a ceremonial welcome by the Namibian Foreign Minister, and a series of engagements that reflect the broad spectrum of India-Namibia relations.
PM Modi is also scheduled to pay homage to Namibia’s founding father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, by visiting his memorial. In addition, he will address the Namibian Parliament and interact with the Indian community living in Namibia. The one-day visit promises to be high-impact and agenda-driven.
One of the unique areas of cooperation that will be revisited is Project Cheetah. In 2022, India and Namibia signed a historic agreement that enabled the relocation of African cheetahs to India to support wildlife conservation and biodiversity. The first batch of cheetahs was successfully reintroduced into Indian habitats, where they have been adapting well.
However, Indian officials, including the High Commissioner, emphasized that the population of cheetahs is still below the required ecological threshold. “We need more cheetahs to achieve a sustainable ecological balance,” Srivastava noted. “I am confident that discussions around Project Cheetah 2.0 will take place during the Prime Minister’s visit, as both countries remain committed to wildlife conservation.”
Deepening a Historic Bond
India and Namibia share a longstanding and friendly relationship. India was among the first countries to support Namibia’s independence movement and has played a proactive role in the nation’s development journey. Over the years, both countries have built strong ties in sectors such as education, health, defense, and capacity building.
This state visit by Prime Minister Modi is expected to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhance economic engagement, and explore new areas of mutual cooperation. It marks a turning point in India’s outreach to Africa, aligning with its broader foreign policy strategy of engaging with emerging economies and natural resource-rich countries.
As Prime Minister Modi steps onto Namibian soil, the visit is being closely watched by diplomatic circles, business leaders, and environmentalists alike. From energy security to ecological collaboration, the discussions and agreements forged during this visit may shape a new era of India-Namibia partnership for decades to come.
