In a significant development, India and Namibia have pledged to enhance their bilateral ties and explore cooperation in various sectors, with a particular focus on energy. The commitment follows the historic visit of an Indian External Affairs Minister to Namibia and the inaugural meeting of the India-Namibia Joint Commission on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Indian External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar, took to Twitter to express his satisfaction in concluding the first India-Namibia Joint Commission and signing its minutes. The partnership roadmap encompasses a wide range of domains, including energy, infrastructure, wildlife conservation, trade and investment, food security, digital technology, capacity building, health, defense, and arts, culture, heritage, and people-to-people linkages.
Highlighting the deep-rooted connection between India and Namibia based on shared struggles for freedom and mutual goodwill, EAM Jaishankar emphasized that their partnership’s future is built on a strong foundation. Over the past three decades, this bond has transformed into a growing development partnership, featuring enhanced capacity building, expanded trade, and initial investments. Notably, the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (INCEIT) was formally inaugurated during the visit, serving as a tangible example of this collaboration.
The primary objective of the Joint Commission is to elevate the India-Namibia partnership to new heights. Both nations have identified several areas for potential collaboration, with a particular focus on the energy sector. This includes exploring opportunities in oil and gas, green hydrogen, and solar energy. Indian companies have gained recognition as global players and are positioned to become significant investors, knowledge partners, technology providers, and business collaborators.
Furthermore, the two countries have pledged to collaborate on infrastructure development, with a specific emphasis on railways, roads, ports, electricity transmission, and water usage. India’s track record of delivering substantial projects in Africa is expected to encourage fresh partnerships between India and Namibia in this sector.
The commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation reflects the shared vision of India and Namibia to forge a prosperous future built on mutual respect and collaboration. As both nations continue to deepen their engagement, the potential for impactful developments in various sectors, including energy and infrastructure, is poised to drive economic growth and benefit the citizens of both India and Namibia.
