Modi Wraps Up Overseas Mission to BRICS Summit 2025 with Stopover in Namibia
On his way back to India from the BRICS Summit 2025 (#BRICS2025) in Brazil, Indian PM Narendra Modi stopped for an official visit in Namibia, as the final stage of his 5-nation tour. Landing at Windhoek on 9 July 2025, Modi received a warm welcome at the airport to the sound and sight of traditional Namibian drum and dance. Getting into the mood, Modi could not resist to try his hands at the African drums.
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred upon PM Narendra Modi, the highest civilian award of Namibia, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. The Welwitschia Mirabilis is a desert plant endemic to Namibia which thrives under adverse conditions, reflecting the spirit of the Namibian people.
Both also explored the deepening of cooperation in various fields, including #digitalization, defense, #MaritimeSecurity, agriculture, healthcare, education and #CriticalMinerals. During this visit, a number of MoU were signed regarding:
- Entrepreneurship Development Centre
- Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- Global Biofuels Alliance
- Healthcare and Medicine
- Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
As part of the International Big Cats Alliance, Namibia gifted five female and three male cheetahs to India in 2022. The animals were airlifted from Namibia to India and then released into the Kuno reserve after passing quarantine. Cheetahs went extinct in India nearly a century ago due to poaching and this cooperation underlined the commitment of both nations to preserving #biodiversity and the environment. Project Cheetah has proven to be a success story as the Namibian cheetahs have adapted to their new home in India and have even started to reproduce.
Both countries expressed the wish to reignite and expedite talks on the South African Customs Union (SACU) – India Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (#FTA) started back in 2007 and have stalled . In light of the protectionist posture of certain countries, the PTA may soon take a decisive turn.
During his visit, Modi delivered an address in the Namibian Parliament. He underlined that India has one of the largest diamond polishing sectors in the world, while Namibia is one of the biggest producers of diamond. Thus, the India-Namibia partnership can be likened to ‘a match made in Heaven’ that is meant to endure through thick and thin.