Syllabus

GS 2: International Relations

Context: 

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Namibia as the last stop of his five-country visit to connect with nations in the Global South.

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• This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the resource-rich southern African country in nearly 30 years. 
• Modi’s visit is likely to boost cooperation between India and Namibia in areas like technology, healthcare, infrastructure, development and security.
• India and Namibia have a long-standing relationship based on trust and friendship. There is strong potential for both countries to work together on energy security and critical minerals. 
• Namibia has also formally joined two key initiatives associated with India: the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance. 

Early Beginning of India-Namibia Relation

• India supported Namibia’s freedom as early as 1946 by raising the issue at the United Nations.
• The SWAPO embassy (Namibia’s liberation group) was set up in New Delhi in 1986, with India giving support through NAM, military training and material help.
• After Namibia’s independence in 1990, India’s mission there became a High Commission, and Namibia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 1994.
• Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first President, visited India 11 times and praised India’s help during the struggle for independence.
• In 1998, Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Namibia to gain support before a NAM meeting following India’s nuclear tests.
• In 2016, former President Pranab Mukherjee told Namibia’s Parliament that India stood with them during their freedom fight and continues to support them under South-South cooperation.

Importance of Namibia to India

• India’s Africa Strategy: India wants to build strong ties with Africa based on trade, development, energy and mutual respect.
• Pillars of India–Namibia Relations: India and Namibia focus on minerals, energy, economy, training and development help.
• Strategic Resource Partnership: Namibia is rich in uranium, lithium and rare earth metals, making it important for India’s energy security.
• Trade and Investment Ties: India and Namibia had $654 million in trade in 2023 and India has invested $800 million in mining.
• Education and Capacity-Building: India built an ‘India Wing’ at a Namibian university and trains Namibians under the ITEC program.
• Vaccine Diplomacy: India sent vaccines and food aid to Namibia and helped during floods and droughts.
• Diplomatic Support: Namibia supports India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
• Cheetah Translocation Initiative: In 2022, India brought cheetahs from Namibia in the world’s first intercontinental carnivore transfer.

India Vs China in Affirca

• China’s Trade with Africa: China is Africa’s biggest trade partner, with trade going over $200 billion in the last 20 years.
• India’s Growing Trade: India is the fourth biggest trade partner of Africa, with trade reaching $100 billion in 2023.
• India’s Investment in Africa: India has invested $76 billion in Africa since 1996 and this may grow to $150 billion by 2030.
• Infrastructure Projects by India: India has finished 206 projects in 43 African countries and is building 65 more.
• Role of AfCFTA: The African free trade deal (AfCFTA) is helping India trade more with Africa and create jobs.
• China’s Belt and Road Push: China is growing its presence in Africa using big plans like the Belt and Road and FOCAC.
• Debt Trap Concerns: Many African countries are worried about falling into debt due to heavy Chinese loans.
• Chinese Role in Namibian Mines: Chinese companies control big shares in two of Namibia’s key radioactive mineral mines.
• India’s People-First Policy: India focuses on people and human development, not just business and strategy, in Africa.
• India and G20 Leadership: Under India’s leadership, the African Union became a permanent member of the G20.
• Defence and Strategic Ties: India helps Africa with defence training and programs like AF-INDEX, ITEC, SAGAR and talks.

Mains Question

India and Namibia share a long-standing relationship rooted in anti-colonial solidarity and post-independence cooperation. Discuss how historical ties have shaped contemporary India–Namibia relations. (10M,150W)

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pm-modi-india-namibia-africa-significance-10114277/