Press Release

State Visit of President of Namibia

31/08/2009

At the invitation of the Hon’ble Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, His Excellency Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, the President of the Republic of Namibia, accompanied by Madam Penehupifo Pohamba, is on a State Visit to India from 30 August - 3 September, 2009. His delegation includes the Ministers of Trade & Industry, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mines & Energy, Defence and Director General of National Planning.

President Pohamba called on President Patil who also hosted a banquet in his honour. He met with the Hon’ble M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India and held official discussions with the Hon’ble Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.

The Chairperson of the UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and the Leader of the Opposition, Shri L.K. Advani, called on President Pohamba.

The discussions were held in an atmosphere reflective of the traditional friendship, warmth and close understanding that characterizes bilateral relations. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, and the mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership that was developing between the two countries. They discussed a wide range of subjects of bilateral interest covering economic cooperation, trade and investment, SMEs, mining, energy, defence, agriculture, education, information and communication technology, health, railways, culture and arts.

The following MOUs/agreements were signed during the visit: (i) MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Geology and Mineral Resources, (ii) MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Defence; (iii) MOU on Pan-African e-Network; (iv) Agreement on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy; and (v) MOU on Waiver of Visas for Diplomatic and Official Passports.

The two sides noted that the bilateral trade volume and investment, though small, have been steadily increasing and resolved to take measures to enhance such flows. They noted the many opportunities for investment available in Namibia in the uranium, diamond, agriculture, energy, transportation, railways, mining, ICT and SMEs sectors and resolved to encourage Indian investments in these areas.

The Namibian side expressed its deep appreciation for the Human Resource Development and Capacity Building assistance extended by India under its ITEC and other programmes ever since Namibia's independence. The Indian side reiterated its commitment to further enhance its HRD and Capacity Building programme in Namibia with additional ITEC experts from one to five and augment the number of ITEC slots from 55 to 110.

The Namibian side thanked the Indian side for scholarships provided to Namibian nationals for bachelors, masters and doctoral programmes in India and requested for increase in the number of scholarships. The Indian side agreed to increase the number from 7 at present to 15.

Both sides expressed interest in exploring cooperation in the diamond sector and stated that the establishment of a cutting, polishing and training institute in Namibia by India would go a long way in beneficiation of this local resource.

The Indian side (i) informed the Namibian side of its decision to offer Lines of Credit of US $ 100 million over the next five years to be used in projects and supplies of products from India; (ii) reaffirmed its decision to establish, at a cost of over US$ 12 million, the Faculties of Mining Engineering and IT at the University of Namibia; and (iii) announced grants-in-aid of around US$ 10 million for the education and health sectors over the next five years. The Namibian side expressed its deep appreciation for these offers.

Both sides noted that people-to-people contacts and tourism between the two countries needed to be encouraged further and resolved to take necessary measures to enhance tourism, culture and people-to-people contacts.

The Indian side expressed its deepest condolences and sympathies on the loss of life and property during the unprecedented floods in Namibia in 2008 and 2009 and expressed its support for Namibia to over come these challenges. The Namibian side expressed its appreciation for the timely assistance of Rupees ten million each on both occasions extended by India.

The two leaders highlighted the importance of high level bilateral visits, including at the level of Heads of State and Government. They also decided to promote other high level ministerial visits. They reiterated the resolve to continue the bilateral dialogue and cooperation at various international fora.

The two sides reaffirmed their belief in the vitality and importance of the Non-Aligned Movement. As two developing Non-Aligned Nations both India and Namibia face many common challenges. They resolved to work together to win the war against poverty, hunger and disease.

The Indian side renewed its commitment to further strengthening and deepening its cooperation with Africa and referred in this connection to the successful India Africa Forum Summit of April 2008 which set out the roadmap for India-Africa relations in the early part of the 21st Century. The Namibian side affirmed its support to this initiative.

The Indian side thanked Namibia for its consistent support to various Indian candidatures in international and other multilateral organizations. Both sides expressed their staunch belief in the need for restructuring of the United Nations to make its functioning more representative, democratic and participatory. The Indian side expressed its deep appreciation to Namibia for its consistent support to India's candidature for a permanent seat on an expanded Security Council, and for its support to India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat for 2011-12.

The President of Namibia invited the President of India and the Prime Minister to visit Namibia. The invitations were accepted with pleasure. Dates for the visits would be settled through diplomatic channels.

President Pohamba expressed deep appreciation for the reception and warm hospitality extended to him, Madam Pohamba and his delegation.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the results of the State Visit and concluded that it had contributed positively to the further strengthening of the warm and friendly ties between the two countries.

A large business delegation is accompanying the Namibian delegation. An extensive interaction between them and their Indian counterparts was held in New Delhi on 31 August, 2009. A similar interaction is to be held in Mumbai on 2 September, 2009.

After concluding his official stay in Delhi, President Pohamba and his delegation will visit Agra, Bangalore and Mumbai.

New Delhi
August 31, 2009