Indian PM Modi Concludes Successful Tour of Five Nations: Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully concluded his tour of five nations, which included stops in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
In the final phase of his journey, India and Namibia signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Prime Minister Modi. These agreements focus on establishing an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia and promoting collaboration in the health and medical sectors.
Moreover, three key announcements were made, including the introduction of a Digital Payment System in Namibia later this year and Namibia’s involvement in global initiatives led by India, such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Bio Fuel Alliance.
During a media briefing after the visit, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Eastern Region) in the Ministry of External Affairs, mentioned that a variety of topics were discussed during the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek the day before.
The discussions aimed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, hydrocarbons, defence, health partnerships, digital public infrastructure, environmental concerns, and capacity building.
Mr. Ravi emphasized that Namibia is the first country worldwide where the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has formed a technology agreement with a central bank to implement a payment system similar to UPI.
Both leaders also addressed multilateral issues, including the condemnation of terrorism and the necessity for reform in multilateral institutions.
As reported by an Akashvani Correspondent, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Namibia not only marked the end of his five-nation tour but also represented a significant advancement in India-Namibia relations, occurring nearly thirty years after his last visit to the resource-rich South African nation.
The trip yielded substantial progress, particularly in healthcare, digital infrastructure, and capacity building, underscoring India’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s development while enhancing India’s broader engagement with Africa.
Upon his arrival in Windhoek, the capital, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honor. He received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora, whose efforts in preserving Indian culture abroad were recognized and appreciated by the Prime Minister.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to Namibia’s founding father, Sam Nujoma, at the National Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek, a gesture that underscored the mutual respect between the two nations.
In acknowledgement of his endeavors to strengthen ties between India and Namibia, Prime Minister Modi was awarded Namibia’s highest civilian honor.
Overall, the visit significantly advanced India’s Global South policy and bolstered India’s soft power presence in Africa, particularly through collaborative efforts in health, technology, and education.
