Since the inception of cooperation with Namibia, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme has equipped about 1700 Namibians with knowledge transfer and capacity building to navigate through various sectors.
Namibians who are in spaces such as government, academia, business, and defence have greatly benefitted, contributing actively to their development and deepening bilateral relationship with India.
Indian High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, said this area of collaboration symbolises the enduring friendship, partnership and shared aspirations between India and Namibia. “India’s approach to capacity-building is guided by the conviction that human resource development is the most sustainable form of assistance. By investing in people in their skills, knowledge, and creativity, we empower societies to shape their own futures, whether in education, healthcare, defence, information technology, energy, or agriculture,” said Shrivastava during ITEC Day celebrations in Windhoek on Friday. He said the partnership between India and Namibia continues to grow in both depth and scope.
“In recent years, our cooperation has expanded into digital innovation and strategic areas such as defence, cyber-security, and critical minerals. We are exploring new areas of collaboration that align with NDP-6 and India’s development experience in sectors such as start-ups, skill development and affordable technology,” shared Shrivastava. He added, “This stands as a cornerstone of India’s development partnership with countries across the Global South. Rooted in the principles of South–South cooperation, it is based on mutual respect, solidarity, and the idea that development is most meaningful when it is shared.”
The executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, noted that the ITEC Programme stands as a hallmark of India’s visionary and empathetic diplomacy.
“Namibia’s partnership with India remains one of the most enduring and multifaceted in our foreign relations. Our diplomatic ties symbolise the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that unite our two nations. Our cooperation has flourished across diverse sectors, anchored in a shared vision of equality, sustainable development, and progress for our peoples,” she stated in a speech read on her behalf.Nghipondoka-Robiati said that among the most transformative aspects of our partnership has been capacity building, championed through the ITEC Programme.
“Through this initiative, countless Namibians have benefitted from specialised training opportunities in India’s world-renowned institutions, acquiring essential skills in information technology, governance, public administration, defence, environmental management, and renewable energy,” she said.The ED said these exchanges have not only enhanced individual expertise but have also strengthened the institutional capacities that drive Namibia’s development agenda.
Nghipondoka-Robiati said, “The ITEC initiative embodies the principles of inclusivity and solidarity that underpin India’s global outlook, and it continues to inspire developing nations like Namibia to pursue progress through cooperation rather than competition.”