PM Modiโs visit to Namibia: Focus likely on diamonds, critical minerals; uranium talks also on agenda
Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs upcoming visit to Namibia on July 9, as part of his five-nation tour, is expected to boost strategic ties with the resource-rich African nation. It is likely to have a sharp focus on strengthening cooperation in the diamond trade, critical minerals and uranium supply, reported ET.Namibia, known for the worldโs richest marine diamond deposits with reserves estimated at over 80 million carats, does not sell rough diamonds directly to India. Instead, these reach Indian shores via London, Antwerp and other global trade centres. Officials familiar with the matter say the PMโs visit could help lay the groundwork for more direct engagement, particularly as several Indian diamond processing companies already operate in Namibia.India has also invested over $800 million in Namibia across sectors including mining, manufacturing, diamond processing and services.Beyond diamonds, the visit is also being seen as pivotal in Indiaโs quest for critical minerals essential to new-age technologies and electric vehicles. Namibia holds untapped potential in cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements, minerals key to Indiaโs transition to clean energy. As per news agency ANI, secretary (economic relations) Dammu Ravi highlighted that Africaโs mineral wealth makes Namibia a natural partner for India. โWe have to find ways to get bilateral understanding mechanisms to be able to capture that,โ he said.The uranium sector is another key area where India is looking to build bridges. Namibia, a major uranium producer, could support Indiaโs civilian nuclear energy programme. Efforts are on to explore long-term uranium supply agreements.Prime Minister Modi will also address the Namibian Parliament, his first such engagement in the country in 27 years. According to secretary Ravi, this will mark a symbolic reaffirmation of the historical ties between the two nations.โIndia and Namibia have had a very strong relationship for a very long time,โ he added, emphasising that the visit will include both delegation-level talks and one-on-one meetings.The visit comes as part of Modiโs five-nation tour covering Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Namibia. While the agenda includes broader discussions on trade, defence and digital public infrastructure, the stop in Namibia is particularly significant for Indiaโs ambitions in critical resource security and Africa outreach.