Source: The post India builds deeper partnership with Namibia and Africa has been created, based on the article “In Namibia, India shows a new way to engage Africa” published in “The Hindu” on 18th August 2025. India builds deeper partnership with Namibia and Africa.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2025 address to Namibia’s National Assembly highlighted India’s evolving engagement in Africa. His culturally nuanced remarks signalled a long-term, respectful partnership model, contrasting with the West’s conditional aid, sanctions, and migration-focused assistance.
India’s Adaptive Diplomatic Strategy
- Cultural Sensitivity in Diplomacy: Modi invoked the Welwitschia mirabilis, Namibia’s national plant, the Springbok, and quoted a Namibian poet. His use of Oshiwambo phrases earned applause, showing India’s effort to connect meaningfully with African identity.
- Three-Step Logic of Engagement: India’s approach follows three steps: anti-colonial solidarity, current pragmatic cooperation, and future-oriented knowledge ties. This method reflects alignment over instruction and a grounded, adaptive strategy.
- Coalition-Building Approach: India prioritises issue-based coalitions shaped by mutual interests. This builds trust and ensures African priorities drive the agenda.
Shared Historical Foundations
- Anti-Colonial Solidarity: India recalls hosting SWAPO’s first diplomatic office during Namibia’s liberation struggle. It also highlights Lieutenant General Diwan Prem Chand’s leadership of UN peacekeeping forces during Namibia’s transition to independence.
- Symbolism as Commitment: These reminders reinforce India’s long-haul engagement. They contrast with the episodic presence of Western powers.
- History as Strategic Anchor: Historical solidarity builds credibility and positions India as a consistent, principled partner.
Present Cooperation and Development
- Trade and Development Footprint: Bilateral trade between India and Namibia is $800 million. Across Africa, India sustains a $12 billion development partnership.
- Capacity Building in Education and IT: India set up the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in IT at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. It also funded the ‘India Wing’ at Ongwediva campus with a $12 million grant.
- People-Centric Development: These initiatives leverage India’s strengths in digital education and respond to Namibia’s youthful, digitally ready population.
Future-Oriented Knowledge Diplomacy
- Digital Transformation with UPI: Namibia became the first African country to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This marks a quiet revolution in tech diplomacy.
- Exporting Institutional Models: The UPI adoption is not only about digital tools but also about regulatory frameworks, institutional design, and user-centric architecture that India has tested at scale.
- Soft Power through Technology: This cooperation creates long-term, people-focused partnerships and enhances India’s soft power.
Challenges and Missed Chances
- Inconsistent Engagement: India’s Africa policy has seen long lapses. Modi’s visit to Namibia was the first by an Indian head of government in nearly three decades.
- Limited Outcomes: The visit resulted in only two MoUs on entrepreneurship and health, and Namibia’s accession to the Global Biofuels Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
- Mineral Cooperation Gap: Despite Namibia’s role as a leading uranium producer, no strategic framework was concluded on minerals, resource access, or value addition. A major opportunity was missed.
Toward a Credible Global South Partner
- Namibia’s Strategic Importance: Namibia offers political stability, mineral wealth, and technological readiness. Its leadership echoes India’s calls for fairer global systems.
- Need for Follow-Through: The upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit could formalise cooperation. But India must match ambition with sustained institutional commitment.
- Credibility through Consistency: India’s role as a Global South leader will depend not on promises but on consistent, collaborative delivery.
Question for practice:
Discuss how India’s evolving engagement with Namibia reflects its broader approach to Africa.
