Namibia on India’s Radar: Uranium, Cheetahs, and Strategic Ties in Focus

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a state visit to Namibia, India is prioritizing the import of uranium from the African nation, revealed High Commissioner Rahul Shrivastava. The visit will also explore opportunities in Namibia’s burgeoning oil and gas sector and critical minerals. The visit, which comes after a 27-year gap, will cover a broad range of topics including trade, investment, and defense collaboration. Namibia seeks to procure defense items from India, and capacity building will be a key aspect of the discussions. Discussions are expected to also include the potential expansion of cheetah reintroduction efforts, termed ‘Project Cheetah 2’. Shrivastava underscored the significance of the India-Namibia relationship, tracing back to India’s early support for Namibian independence and highlighting India’s leadership in the Global South and its strong partnership with Africa.