Namibia will roll out India’s Unified Funds Interface (UPI) later this yr, marking a major step in enhancing digital cooperation between the 2 international locations. The announcement got here on Wednesday after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah geared toward boosting bilateral relations.
The Modi-Ndaitwah assembly centered on enhancing cooperation in key sectors equivalent to digital expertise, defence, safety, agriculture, healthcare, schooling, and important minerals. The UPI rollout stems from a expertise licensing settlement signed between the Nationwide Funds Company of India (NPCI) and the Financial institution of Namibia in April final yr.
In the course of the bilateral discussions, India and Namibia signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), together with one for establishing an Entrepreneurship Growth Heart in Namibia and one other for cooperation within the subject of well being and drugs.
Namibia has additionally joined two main India-backed international initiatives — the Coalition for Catastrophe Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the World Biofuels Alliance. CDRI focuses on bettering infrastructure resilience to local weather and disaster-related dangers, and contains participation from nationwide governments, worldwide organizations, and the personal sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah watch a efficiency by artistes through the former’s ceremonial welcome, in Windhoek, Namibia. (PTI through PMO)
Following the delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi took to X and wrote, “President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I reviewed the complete vary of India-Namibia relations throughout our talks as we speak. Cooperation in areas equivalent to digital expertise, defence, safety, agriculture, healthcare, schooling and important minerals figured prominently in our discussions.”
President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I reviewed the complete vary of India-Namibia relations throughout our talks as we speak. Cooperation in areas equivalent to digital expertise, defence, safety, agriculture, healthcare, schooling and important minerals figured prominently in our… pic.twitter.com/PdpLFc2U29
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2025
He added, “We additionally mentioned the right way to increase linkages in commerce, power and petrochemicals. Expressed gratitude for the help from Namibia in Challenge Cheetah.”
This go to marks Prime Minister Modi’s first to Namibia and is barely the third-ever by an Indian Prime Minister. He arrived in Namibia from Brazil on the ultimate leg of his five-nation tour.
Throughout his go to, Modi paid tribute to Namibia’s founding father Sam Nujoma on the Heroes’ Acre memorial. “As the primary President of free Namibia, Nujoma made inspiring contribution to the nation’s nation-making. His legacy continues to encourage individuals the world over,” mentioned the Ministry of Exterior Affairs in an announcement, describing Nujoma as a “nice pal of India.”
Story continues under this advert
Modi, who was invited by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, referred to Namibia as a “valued and trusted associate” in Africa. Earlier, he obtained a ceremonial welcome, together with a guard of honour and a 21-gun salute on the State Home.
(With PTI inputs)