India-Namibia Relations and Africa | 10 Jul 2025

Source: TH  

Why in News? 

India’s Prime Minister undertook a State Visit to Namibia (1st by an Indian PM in 27 years), addressed the Namibian Parliament, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a partnership with Africa rooted in dialogue rather than dominance. 

• He was also conferred Namibia's highest civilian award – the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis – becoming the first Indian leader to receive this honour. 
• Namibia submitted letters of acceptance to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance, and became the first country globally to sign a licensing agreement to adopt UPI technology. 

What are the Key Highlights of the India-Namibia Relations? 

• Historical and Political Ties: India was among the first countries to raise Namibia’s independence at the United Nations in 1946, extended material and diplomatic support to South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO led Namibia’s liberation struggle). 
  • Full diplomatic relations were established in 1990, while Namibia opened its resident Mission in New Delhi in March 1994. 
• Cheetah Translocation Project: 8 cheetahs translocated from Namibia to India in 2022, marking the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a major carnivore species. 
• Capacity Building & Defence Cooperation: India offers scholarships to Namibians under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), along with annual defence training slots.  
  • Since 1996, an IAF Technical Team has trained Namibian Air Force helicopter pilots, and India has provided 2 Chetak and 2 Cheetah helicopters.  
• Development Assistance: India provided 30,000 Covishield doses to Namibia, and established the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in IT (INCEIT) and an India Wing at the University of Namibia. 
• Economic Relations: Bilateral trade stood at USD 568.40 million in 2024–25, with key sectors including mining, energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, and trade.  
  • A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is under negotiation between India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with Namibia as coordinator. 
• Indian Community in Namibia: Around 450 Indians/NRIs/PIOs reside in Namibia. The India-Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (INCCI) and India-Namibia Friendship Association (INFA), established in 2016 and 2020 respectively, promote business and community engagement. 

Why is Africa Strategically Important to India? 

• Geopolitical and Maritime Safeguards: Africa’s geographical position at crossroads of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean is vital for securing India’s maritime trade routes and enhancing naval influence.  
  • India’s first overseas naval base in Mauritius (2024) under the Necklace of Diamonds strategy underscores efforts to safeguard sea lanes and counter piracy and terrorism.  
• Rising Economic Power: India-Africa bilateral trade reached USD 98 billion in 2022–23, including USD 43 billion from mining and mineral sectors.  
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), operational from 2021, creates a single market of 1.4 billion people, boosting prospects for Indian exports and investments.  
• Securing Critical Minerals: The Democratic Republic of Congo alone provides over 70% of the world’s cobalt, essential for EV batteries and renewables. 
  • Nigeria and Angola help meet India’s energy needs, with Africa’s share in India’s crude imports rising amid global supply volatility. 
• Diplomatic Leverage: India’s successful push for the African Union’s permanent G20 membership in 2023 marked a diplomatic milestone, boosting Africa’s global economic role.  
  • Joint efforts at the WTO on intellectual property waivers for Covid-19 vaccines and agriculture reflect a shared commitment to equitable global governance, and enhancing India’s Global South leadership. 
• Geopolitical Ally: With its 54 nations, Africa constitutes a powerful bloc in global forums, emerging as a key geopolitical partner for India, with mutual support for each other’s representation in the UN Security Council. 
  • As global power shifts, a strong India-Africa partnership serves to counterbalance regional powers like China. 
• Strong Diaspora: The 3 million-strong Indian diaspora in Africa acts as a bridge between the two regions, having historically contributed to African economies.  
  • India is leveraging this link through initiatives like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which in 2019 focused on the African diaspora to boost economic and cultural ties. 

What are the Key Obstacles in Deepening India-Africa Ties? 

• Sluggish Investment Activity: Despite growing ties, Indian investments in Africa trail behind China and the West due to risk perception, limited market knowledge, and strong competition, limiting India’s economic influence. 
• Credibility Issues with Indian Exports: A persistent perception in some African markets views Indian products as lower in quality compared to Western or Chinese alternatives, affecting sectors like pharmaceuticals and machinery.  
  • The 2022 tainted syrup incident in Gambia, which caused over 60 child deaths, further hurt India’s reputation and market share. 
• Diplomatic Dilemma: India’s Africa engagement has been criticized for over-focusing on East and Southern Africa, with less attention to other regions.  
  • In 2022–23, exports to South Africa alone reached USD 8.47 billion, while West Africa, despite its economic potential, remains under-engaged, risking missed opportunities. 
• Complex Security Landscape: Africa’s security crises, marked by 9 coups (2020–2023) and armed conflicts, along with weak governance and rising radicalization, hinder India’s security and economic partnerships with Africa. 
• Resource Competition: India–China competition for African oil and gas has heightened tensions, leading to inflated prices and diplomatic strain as African nations balance ties with both Asian powers.  
  • E.g., in 2006, India lost a bid for oil assets in Angola to China.  

What Steps Should India Take to Deepen Engagement with Africa? 

• Revamping of Trade Frameworks: India should forge economic partnerships with AfCFTA, offering preferential access to coffee, cocoa, and rare earths in exchange for greater market access for Indian pharmaceuticals and IT services. 
• Strategic Dialogue Framework: India should establish an annual India-Africa Strategic Partnership Forum to enable joint agenda setting and swift responses to challenges like food security and climate resilience. 
• Countering Neo-Colonialism: India can help African nations counter neo-colonialism by promoting economic, political, and technological self-reliance e.g., offering technical assistance to print currency locally. 
  • More than 40 African nations, such as South Sudan, Tanzania, and Mauritania, continue to print their currency in the UK, France, and Germany.  
• Innovation-Driven Capacity Building: India can set up innovation hubs and R&D centers in key African nations focused on agri-tech, renewable energy, digital governance, and healthcare, leveraging the IIT Madras Zanzibar (2023) model. 
• Deepen Security Partnerships: India should deepen engagement with African Union security frameworks by offering specialized training at the UN Peacekeeping Centre in New Delhi and expanding intelligence sharing and cybersecurity collaboration. 
• Infrastructure Impetus: India should establish an India-Africa Infrastructure Commission to fast-track high-impact projects like solar power, water treatment, and digital connectivity, with clear timelines and accountability. 

Conclusion 

India-Namibia and India-Africa relations reflect a strong foundation of historical solidarity, strategic cooperation, and shared development goals. India’s broader Africa engagement, though promising, requires strategic recalibration to address investment gaps, regional imbalances, and growing competition. Strengthened dialogue, innovation-led capacity building, and inclusive trade frameworks can elevate India-Africa ties to new heights.