New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today received Namibia’s highest civilian honor, the “Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis,” from President H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during a landmark State Visit. This marks a significant moment in the bilateral relations between India and Namibia, as Prime Minister Modi becomes the first Indian leader to be bestowed with this prestigious award.
Upon accepting the accolade, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honor to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the “historic and enduring ties” between the two nations. He expressed profound gratitude to President Nandi-Ndaitwah and the people of Namibia, emphasizing that the award symbolizes the deep-rooted friendship born out of mutual trust and cooperation since their respective freedom struggles.
The visit, Prime Minister Modi’s first to Namibia and only the third by an Indian Prime Minister, holds particular significance as it is also the first bilateral State Visit hosted by President Nandi-Ndaitwah since she assumed office in March 2025. President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who became Namibia’s first female president, extended a warm ceremonial reception to PM Modi at the State House.
During their extensive discussions, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Namibia relations, focusing on enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors. Key areas of discussion included:
- Defence and Maritime Security: Exploring opportunities for further collaboration and India’s offer of a special defence Line of Credit.
- Digital Technology & UPI: Namibia has become the first country to enter into a licensing agreement to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology.
- Agriculture: Sharing India’s expertise, including the use of drones for agricultural purposes, and offering support for quick impact development projects.
- Healthcare and Pharma: Strengthening partnerships in this vital sector.
- Energy and Critical Minerals: Discussions on potential cooperation, including India’s interest in importing uranium and other critical minerals from Namibia, and the possibility of a Critical Mineral Partnership Agreement.
- Trade: Expressing satisfaction with growing bilateral trade and urging expedited discussions on the India-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement.
Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged in the fields of health and entrepreneurship, underscoring the commitment to practical cooperation. Namibia also announced its decision to join India-backed global initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed condolences on the passing of Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, earlier this year, acknowledging his vision’s impact on bilateral relations. He also thanked Namibia for its support following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India.
The “Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis,” established in 1995, is named after a resilient desert plant endemic to Namibia, symbolizing longevity and the enduring spirit of the nation. This is the 27th international honor received by Prime Minister Modi, highlighting his efforts in fostering global partnerships.
The conferment of this award is expected to serve as a font of inspiration for younger generations in both countries, encouraging them to take this special bilateral partnership to greater heights.