India and Namibia concluded the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi on January 19-20, agreeing to strengthen bilateral ties across key sectors including health, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), agriculture, defence, and critical minerals. The consultations aimed to deepen collaboration and review progress on earlier high-level agreements.

The meeting was co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassador Charles Josob, Acting Head of Department for Bilateral Relations and Cooperation in Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Trade. Officials discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, including coordinated action at the United Nations.

According to an MEA statement, the two sides conducted a comprehensive review of India-Namibia relations, covering trade, investment, health and pharmaceuticals, education, capacity building, infrastructure development, defence cooperation, consular matters, and cultural exchanges. Both nations explored avenues to expand people-to-people ties.

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The discussions also focused on advancing cooperation in agriculture, digital technology, and critical minerals, areas highlighted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Namibia in July last year. During that visit, PM Modi held talks with Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on defence, maritime security, and energy partnerships.

PM Modi’s 2025 visit also included an address to Namibia’s Joint Parliament, emphasizing the importance of South-South cooperation and the global fight against terrorism. He was awarded Namibia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’, recognizing his efforts in strengthening bilateral ties.

The two countries agreed to continue their engagement through the next round of Foreign Office Consultations, to be held in Windhoek at a mutually convenient date. Observers say the expanding India-Namibia partnership underscores India’s strategic outreach in Africa and its commitment to sustainable development, trade, and technology cooperation.

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