During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Namibia, the first by an Indian PM in 27 years, delegation-level talks spanned a broad spectrum of issues, with critical minerals taking center stage. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the potential for deepening bilateral relations through trade, investment, and strategic partnerships.

MEA Secretary (East) Dammu Ravi highlighted the discussions on a proposed Critical Mineral Partnership Agreement, leveraging Namibia’s abundant reserves of uranium, copper, cobalt, and rare earths. “The trade between our nations stands at approximately $600 million, slightly favoring India, with Indian investments in Namibia around $800 million,” Ravi noted, underscoring the mutual economic benefits.

Defense cooperation also featured prominently, with Namibia expressing interest in procuring equipment from India. High Commissioner Rahul Shrivastava mentioned India’s offer of a line of credit specifically for defense and civil sectors. Additionally, collaboration in health, agriculture, and capacity building was explored, including the potential introduction of India’s Janaushadhi initiative in Namibia.

A groundbreaking development was the agreement between India’s National Payment Corporation (NPCI) and Namibia’s Central Bank to deploy the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia, marking a first for the digital payment system outside India. “This will open new avenues for digital cooperation,” Ravi stated.

Three key announcements were made: Namibia’s adoption of UPI, its joining of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and its participation in the Global Biofuel Alliance. These initiatives reflect shared priorities in disaster resilience and sustainable energy.

PM Modi was honored with Namibia’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, his 27th such accolade and the fourth on this tour. The visit also saw discussions on multilateral reforms and a united stance against terrorism, with Namibia condemning the Pahalgam attack and expressing solidarity with India.

The visit underscored the growing partnership between India and Namibia, with both nations committed to addressing global challenges and fostering South-South cooperation.