President Hage Geingob on Monday congratulated India on 75 years of independence and said the strong bonds of friendship and warmth that existed between the two countries before independence continued to prevail after Namibia’s independence.
India marked its 75th year of independence on Monday, celebrating the end of British colonial rule in 1947.
“I congratulate the Prime Minister, Shri Naredra Modi, and the fraternal people of India on the occasion of 75 years of independence and remarkable achievements,” Geingob said.
He said India has been a consistent supporter of Namibia’s liberation struggle and also the country’s partner in development since 1990.
Geingob also said Namibia and India enjoy warm, cordial and solid bilateral relations.
“India was at the forefront of the liberation struggle of Namibia and was among the first nations to raise the question of Namibian independence at the United Nations,” Geingob said in a statement.
He said the first Swapo embassy abroad was established in New Delhi, India, in 1986, which was only closed after the independence of Namibia in 1990.
“Namibia and India established diplomatic relations upon Namibia’s independence when India opened its High Commission on 21 March 1990,” Geingob said, adding that the diplomatic relations between the two countries culminated in the signing of various memorandums of understanding, aimed at fostering and strengthening the relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Namibia and India last month signed a deal to export cheetahs to the south Asian country, with the first batch of eight wild cats set to arrive on Monday to coincide with India’s 75th Independence Day celebrations.
India has been working to relocate the animals since 2020 when the Supreme Court announced African cheetahs could be introduced in a “carefully chosen location” on an experimental basis.
India in the past had Asiatic cheetahs but the species was officially declared extinct within the country by 1952. The deal, signed last month, will see Namibia’s cheetahs sent next month to a wildlife sanctuary in the central state of Madhya Pradesh for captive breeding.
- ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na