The High Commission of India in Namibia hosted a reception in Windhoek on Monday to mark the 77th Republic Day of India.

The event was attended by dignitaries, social media influencers, media professionals and invited guests and highlighted India’s rich culture as well as the strong bilateral relations between Namibia and India. 

Speaking at the reception, India’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, said the historically close ties between the two countries, founded on shared ideals and mutual respect, have gained renewed momentum over the past year through high-level engagements and bilateral initiatives.

Shrivastava referred to key developments in Namibia–India relations, including the State visit by India’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Narendra Modi, to Namibia in July 2025, the first such visit in 27 years.

“Prime Minister Modi held discussions with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah covering the entire gamut of bilateral relations. 

Namibia joined Indian-led multilateral initiatives, namely the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), and also became an observer of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA),” he said. Modi’s visit also saw the signing of agreements in the areas of health and entrepreneurship development, as well as the conferment of Namibia’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, on Modi by Nandi-Ndaitwah.

According to Shrivastava, India’s capacity-building programme, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), continues to expand in Namibia. To date, approximately 1800 Namibian nationals have benefited from ITEC training programmes and Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship schemes.

Sport was also highlighted as a key area strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations. Namibia’s Junior Men’s Hockey team visited India in November to participate in the World Cup, while an Indian team toured Windhoek in June to play one-day matches against the Namibian national cricket team.

The Namibian cricket team is set to participate in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India, with Namibia scheduled to face India on 12 February in New Delhi.

Speaking at the celebration on behalf of the minister of International Relations and Trade, Deputy Minister Jennely Matundu emphasised that the event was not only a celebration of India’s 77th Republic Day, but also of the harmonious spirit of the Indian people, who remain an inspiration through their ethic of hard work, friendship and service wherever they are engaged.

“Namibia and India share long-standing and cordial relations rooted in solidarity during Namibia’s struggle for independence and strengthened over the years through close political cooperation, people-to-people ties and collaboration in various sectors, including trade, education, ICT, health, defence and capacity building,” Matundu noted.

She further stated that the friendship and cooperation with India continues to grow stronger, broader and deeper, as evidenced by significant milestones in the development of the bilateral relationship. -hnalupe@nepc.com.na