Delhi, 9 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Windhoek from Brazil on Wednesday, Namibia, final stop on his five-nation tour, following an invitation from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. This marks Modi’s first visit to Namibia and only the third by an Indian Prime Minister. During their talks, PM Modi and Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors including digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and critical minerals. PM Modi emphasized the importance of boosting trade, energy, and petrochemicals and expressed gratitude for Namibia's support in Project Cheetah.

In a post on X,PM Modi said,President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations during our talks today. Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our discussions.

Post discussions, India and Namibia signed four agreements focused on collaboration in health and medicine, establishing an entrepreneurship development centre in Namibia, and frameworks for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

PM Modi also paid homage to Namibia's founding father, Sam Nujoma, at Heroes' Acre. PM Modi conferred with the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, the highest civilian award of Namibia and received a 21-gun salute at the State House. These engagements are aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations across multiple sectors.

I am deeply honored to receive the Welwitschia Mirabilis and express gratitude to the President, Government of Namibia, and its people, humbly accepting it on behalf of 140 crore Indians, said PM Modi.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar