India is actively exploring the possibility of importing uranium from Namibia, according to India's High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava. This initiative comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the African nation. The Prime Minister's visit underscores India's strategic interest in Namibia, particularly in sectors like critical minerals and energy.
Modi's visit to Namibia, scheduled for July 9, 2025, marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Namibia's independence in 1990. This visit, the final leg of a five-nation African tour, highlights India's commitment to strengthening ties with key African nations. Namibia holds significant importance for India due to its rich reserves of uranium, lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and marine diamonds.
India's interest in Namibia extends beyond uranium, encompassing recent oil and gas discoveries in the country. Shrivastava highlighted India's interest in critical minerals and the potential for Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to invest in Namibia. Discussions during the visit are expected to cover defense cooperation, with Namibia interested in procuring defense items from India, and capacity building, a key aspect of the India-Namibia relationship.
The focus on uranium imports aligns with India's plans to expand its civilian nuclear power capacity. While a uranium supply agreement was signed in 2009, it has seen limited progress. Modi's visit aims to revitalize these discussions, securing a reliable supply of nuclear fuel for India's growing energy needs. Namibia is among the top three uranium producers globally, making it a crucial partner in India's energy strategy.
In addition to uranium, Namibia possesses substantial reserves of lithium and rare earth elements, essential for India's electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, battery storage, and nuclear energy programs. Access to these critical minerals is vital for India's clean energy transition, technology manufacturing, and national security objectives. Cooperation in mining, technology transfer, and trade facilitation are expected to be key discussion points during the visit.
The possibility of direct diamond exports from Namibia to India is also on the agenda. Namibia has the world's richest marine diamond deposits, but currently, these diamonds are traded through hubs like London and Antwerp. Direct exports to India could eliminate intermediaries, reduce costs, and create value for both nations. Several Indian diamond processing firms already operate in Namibia, indicating a strong foundation for enhanced cooperation in this sector.
During his visit, PM Modi will engage in discussions with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He will also address the Namibian Parliament, reaffirming the shared values between the two democracies and pay respects to Dr. Sam Nujoma, Namibia's founding President. The visit signifies a reset in relations, with a focus on clean-tech investments and the potential rollout of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia.
Bilateral trade between India and Namibia was approximately $814 million in 2023-24, with Indian exports exceeding imports. Indian investments in Namibia are estimated at nearly $800 million, primarily in the mining sector, including zinc and diamonds. Modi's visit is poised to further strengthen these economic ties and foster a deeper strategic partnership between the two nations.
