India’s Africa policy has been undergoing a shift from symbolic gestures to issue-based, capacity-driven partnerships. Prime Minister Modi invoked cultural references such as the Welwitschia plant and Oshiwambo phrases, highlighting India’s adaptive, culturally sensitive diplomacy.
India’s approach in contrast to other countries:
Historical Foundations of Trust:
- Early Support for Independence: India raised the issue of Namibia’s independence at the UN in 1946.
- SWAPO Liberation Struggle: India extended material and diplomatic support to the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO).
- Diplomatic Recognition: SWAPO’s first embassy abroad was set up in New Delhi in 1986.
- Post-Independence Engagement: India established full diplomatic ties in 1990; Namibia opened its mission in New Delhi in 1994.
Quiet, Adaptive Diplomacy:
- Issue-based coalitions rather than rigid alliances.
- Emphasis on instruction, capacity building, and long-term institutional ties.
Three-Step Logic:
- Historical solidarity: Shared anti-colonial heritage, UN peacekeeping support.
- Present-day cooperation: Trade, education, health, technology.
- Future-oriented investments: Institutional partnerships like the Namibia–India Centre of Excellence in IT and the ‘India Wing’ at University of Namibia.
Concrete Engagements:
- Capacity Building:
- Namibia–India Centre of Excellence in IT.
- $12 million India-funded ‘India Wing’ at Ongwediva campus.
- Youth & Digital Diplomacy: UPI adoption in Namibia — potential fintech revolution across Africa.
- Energy & Climate Cooperation: Namibia’s membership in Global Biofuels Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
- Defence Cooperation: India provides training under ITEC; IAF team trains Namibian pilots; supply of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.
- Development Assistance: 30,000 Covishield doses during Covid-19, rice aid during droughts.
- Cheetah Diplomacy: 2022 translocation of 8 cheetahs from Namibia to India under Project Cheetah.
Economic Ties:
- Bilateral trade (2024–25): USD 568.40 million.
- PTA negotiations: Ongoing with SACU (Southern African Customs Union) with Namibia as coordinator.
- Indian investment: USD 800 million in Namibia, esp. zinc & diamond processing.
Challenges:
- Limited Critical Mineral Push: No concrete agreement on uranium despite its strategic importance.
- Diversification Issues: Engagement focused on MoUs in entrepreneurship and health.
- Follow-Through Concerns: Need for institutionalization and consistent project delivery.
Way Forward:
- Strengthen Trade Frameworks: Accelerate PTA with SACU; integrate with AfCFTA.
- Institutionalize Partnerships: Establish annual India-Africa Strategic Partnership Forum.
- Innovation-Driven Engagement: R&D hubs in renewable energy, digital governance, agri-tech.
- Security Cooperation: Expand AF-INDEX exercises, cybersecurity, and maritime cooperation under SAGAR.
- Balanced Outreach: Move beyond East & Southern Africa to under-engaged regions like West Africa.
Conclusion:
India-Namibia relations exemplify a trust-based, capacity-building model of South-South cooperation. India must scale up investment, institutionalize commitments, and expand regional engagement. Thus, India’s Africa policy must balance symbolism with substance, ensuring that shared histories evolve into shared futures.
‘+1’ Value addition:
Comparison:
| India’s Model | China’s Model |
| Focus on capacity building, local ownership, and sustainable partnerships.Investments are positioned as “for Africans, not just Africa.” | Heavy investment (USD 200 bn trade with Africa vs. India’s USD 98 bn in 2022–23).Often leads to debt dependency and control of critical resources (e.g., Chinese majority ownership in Namibia’s uranium mines). |
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
