Earlier this week, New Era journalist Otniel Hembapu (OH) interviewed the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (SJ).
OH: How would you describe the growth and depth of India’s diplomatic and political relations with Namibia?
SJ: Namibia is our close and friendly partner in the region. Our ties are rooted in solidarity, mutual support and shared concerns. India was among the first nations to raise the question of Namibia’s independence at the United Nations way back in 1946; we were the first to host the Swapo embassy in New Delhi in 1986, and among the first to establish diplomatic ties in 1990. So, our ties are long and special.
Our ties have been moving forward in the spirit of trust and understanding to meet the needs and priorities of the people and government of Namibia. This has resulted in developing human resource skills and building capabilities through India’s development partnership, Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), ICCR Scholarship Schemes, professional courses for foreign diplomats, support through expert trainers and various other programmes.
Political relations are strong with exchanges of visits and contacts at heads of state and government as well as other high levels. President Hage Geingob visited India in 2015 and hosted the Indian President on a State visit in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Geingob had a meeting in 2019 at UNGA. Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation were in India in July 2022, and we would be meeting for the third time in a year. We see the ties between India and Namibia getting stronger and deeper as new opportunities continue to open up.
OH: Indicators from the 2020/21 financial year show that Namibia’s exports to India increased by more than 52%, but Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah at the time said there is still room for both nations to do more. Do you think both countries have put in the required work to further deepen bilateral and economic ties?
SJ: The latest bilateral trade figures for the years 2022-23 available now show that the trade has already crossed the US$278 million mark for the first time in a decade. The trend is encouraging, and we believe there exists a significant scope for the enhancement of trade between our two countries.
Honourable Nandi-Ndaitwah had visited India in July 2022, and a delegation from the Namibian Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB) accompanied her and held meetings with several Indian companies for cooperation in a range of sectors. Indian entrepreneurs have been frequently making efforts to forge trade and business ties with Namibian partners. Those interactions and other business promotion activities would certainly contribute to improving trade and economic ties.
OH: The latest figures show that Indian exports to Namibia amounted to US$240 million, while Namibia’s exports to India amount to US$37.54 million, which shows the existing trade imbalance. How have the two nations collaborated efforts to ensure the trading gap is narrowed?
SJ: It is an ongoing process that involves efforts by both sides. When both sides explore new opportunities to expand their trade and business ties, the outcomes would have positive results.
OH: How has the establishment of the India-Namibia Trade Forum helped improve and strengthen relations between the two countries?
SJ: Trade bodies play a key role in facilitating business contacts and encouraging partnerships. Their efforts and contribution should be encouraged. Policies of respective governments provide a conducive environment for businesses. Trade bodies work to ensure that the opportunities that exist for furthering business are duly utilised within the ambit of prevailing rules and regulations. The Forum is a new entity, and I am sure in the years to come, it will be able to contribute immensely to furthering bilateral trade relations between our two countries.
OH: Before and after Namibia’s independence, India has always remained one of Namibia’s biggest partners – not only in the trade and economic space but also in the defence and security area. India was one of the first countries to help train Namibian Air Force members. How have relations between the two countries grown in the defence and security space?
SJ: The bilateral defence relationship between India and Namibia goes back to the times of the Namibian liberation struggle against apartheid rule in the 1980s. Besides strong political and diplomatic support to the cause of Namibian freedom, India also provided material assistance to Swapo.
Defence and security continue to be an important area of cooperation between the two countries. In the recent past, there have been visits from Namibia to India to take part in defence-related expositions and fairs. Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made
three port calls at Walvis Bay in 2017, 2019 and 2022. India offers several training slots to Namibian defence officers and
personnel at premier Indian defence training facilities.
As per an agreement signed in 1996, a four-member Indian Air Force Training Team (IAFTT) is deployed in Namibia to assist the Namibian government with the training needs of the Namibian Air Force, both in helicopter flying and technical training. Further, Indian defence advisers are supporting the Namibian Government in areas of defence works and ICT.
OH: At the African Union (AU) level, the continent has over the years been calling and demanding a place in the UN Security Council. Do you think the time is ripe for Africa to get a permanent seat on the UN Security Council?
SJ: India strongly believes in reformed multilateralism. The UN system continues to reflect the realities of the world that existed in 1945, which are different from the realities of today. The weaknesses of this system emerged glaringly during the Covid period and more so with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is clear that the UN system is proving inadequate and needs serious reform. While putting forward its case for a permanent seat in the Security Council, India has supported the African Union’s position. India completely supports the ‘Ezulwini consensus’, which was later reiterated by the ‘Sirte Declaration’. This calls for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for Africa in the reformed UN Security Council. I think the time is right for Africa to lay claim to its rightful place. With a population of over 1.5 billion and growing economies, Africa must find a place on the high table and make its concerns and aspirations known to the world at large. I must add that as a founding member of the United Nations, India is committed to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and has consistently displayed a commitment to the shared values of freedom, democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and equal opportunities for all.
OH: Looking into the future, especially in the various sectors, what do you envision for India’s growing political, economic and diplomatic relationship with Namibia?
SJ: India views Namibia as a close partner and a trusted friend. We are committed to closely collaborating with Namibia in areas of its key interest and priority. India wishes to share its experience and capabilities that are beneficial to Namibia in its journey toward greater prosperity and growth. India will be happy to forge close partnerships in mining and minerals; clean and green energy; health and pharma; manufacturing, infrastructure development, defence and security; science & technology; agriculture and water resources; education, as well as capacity building – to name a few.
India gifted 30 000 vaccines to Namibia during the Covid period, and we are now in the process of gifting a Bhabhatron radiation therapy machine to Namibia. We are open to more ideas. India has also helped Namibia in the field of forensics. An expert was deputed for three months in 2022, and now efforts are underway to augment the capabilities and capacities of Namibia in this vital field.
OH: Generally looking at the African continent, especially in light of the changing geopolitical landscape, how has India’s relations and footprint grown on the continent, and what does the future look like?
SJ: You are absolutely right in saying that the geopolitical landscape of the world has completely changed. Africa is today a continent on the march, with most countries experiencing high rates of growth, increasing levels of education, striving for gender equality and rising aspirations of the youth. The world is fast shifting towards the global south in which Africa finds a prominent place. Our relations with Africa go back millennia. Trade links between India and Africa existed before the European age of discovery, powered by the monsoon winds and dictated by geographical proximity. India stood by the African struggles for independence.
India’s independence in 1947 was the landmark that triggered off the phase of decolonialisation across Asia and Africa. Today, India has a diplomatic presence in 47 countries of Africa, a bilateral trade that is expected to cross US$100 billion this year and investments of over US$74 billion across the African continent. Our development assistance programme, extended through lines of credit, has completed 197 projects across 44 countries. 60 projects are currently underway, while about 80 projects are at various stages of discussion.
We have stood by African countries in times of crisis by extending humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, foodgrains, direct assistance and soft loans to help them overcome their moments of crisis. Even during the Covid period, India gifted medicines to 32 countries and also supplied vaccines at a time when “vaccine nationalism” was rampant across the developed world. Our defence relations are on an upswing. We are happy to have established defence academies in
Tanzania, Nigeria and Ethiopia, while Indian military training teams have provided their services across several countries on the continent.
Over 3 million people of Indian origin, the Indian diaspora, call Africa home and have contributed to the socio-economic development of these countries. Many of them have adopted these countries and risen to positions of importance. They also serve as a vital bridge between India and these countries, something that we greatly value and
cherish.
OH: Western countries have taken a tough stance against all countries that opted to remain neutral in the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Do you think it’s a fair position by those countries to force others to take a position in the conflict?
SJ: It is not for India to comment on the position taken by other countries. This is a challenging time for the world and in international relations; choices often come in shades of grey.
OH: India has come under attack from Western countries for not taking a tough position against Russia and for not condemning Russia. How difficult has it been for India to balance its strategic diplomatic and economic relations with Russia and remain neutral in the conflict?
SJ: India and Russia have a long history of time-tested friendly and mutually beneficial special and privileged strategic partnerships. When PM Narendra Modi met president Vladimir Putin in Samarkand in September last year on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, he conveyed to president Putin that ours should not be an era of wars. Such candid conversation can take place only when the two leaders have mutual respect, trust and understanding. Despite geo-political challenges, there is mutual interest in keeping close bilateral ties. We recently held the 24th session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural ties. We also had other high-level exchanges, which maintained the momentum of our bilateral ties. PM Modi met President Volodymyr Zelensky in May 2023 in Hiroshima on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit.
OH: There seems to be no diplomatic solution in sight at the moment. Do you think the continuous supply of weapons by Western countries to Ukraine is the way to end the conflict?
SJ: Conflict has already entered its second year. It has had severe implications for the countries of the global south in terms of heavy inflation in food, fuel and fertilisers. India has always advised the path of diplomacy and dialogue to find a lasting resolution to the conflict.
OH: On the other hand, Russia has threatened to use all means at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to protect security interests. Does the world have a reason to be worried?
SJ: Any conflict is a cause of worry due to its direct and indirect adverse impacts. India has maintained conversation flows at the highest levels with both Russia and Ukraine, and has advised dialogue and diplomacy as a way forward for a lasting resolution of the conflict.
We believe that the best assurance against their use is their complete elimination. We support nuclear disarmament through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed global and non-discriminatory multilateral framework. India stands ready to work with all countries towards the objective of a world free of nuclear weapons.