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Seeking ties, not competition with Africa: PM Modi in Namibia

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NEW DELHI: India and Namibia discussed enhancing ties in defence, maritime security, digital technology and UPI, energy and critical minerals as PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek during the final leg of his five-nation tour.

Addressing Namibia's Parliament, PM Modi also laid out India's vision for Africa - freedom to future - and said India sought to cooperate, not compete, and not take but to build and grow together.

"Let us create a future defined not by power, but by partnership, not by dominance, but by dialogue, not by exclusion, but by equity," he said.

"We believe that Africa must not be just a source of raw materials. Africa must lead in value creation and sustainable growth. Let our children not only inherit the freedom we fought for, but the future we will build together," the PM said. Some of the remarks by Modi are seen as a subtle dig at China, which has a vast presence in the continent, at a time many African countries are looking to diversify their partnerships.

According to an Indian statement, Modi thanked Namibia for its strong support and solidarity extended to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. They agreed to strengthen the global fight against terrorism. They also committed to work together to amplify the voice of the Global South.

PM Modi thanked Nandi-Ndaitwah for Namibia's support in the cheetah conservation project in India and invited Namibia to join International Big Cat Alliance. "They (cheetahs) are happy and have adapted well in their new home. They have grown in numbers as well. Clearly, they are enjoying their time," the PM said, while welcoming the fact that Namibia has adopted India's UPI payment system.

PM Modi also said India would be scaling up development cooperation efforts through capacity building programmes for Namibian experts and exploring partnerships in setting up manufacturing facilities in Namibia. He called for expediting preferential trade agreement that India is negotiating with Southern African Customs Union. Two MoUs were also signed.
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