Why in news?
Namibia came into focus as the Indian Prime Minister visited the country in July 2025—only the second such visit in nearly three decades—to deepen diplomatic and economic relations.
Geographical overview
- Location: Namibia lies on the south‑western coast of Africa along the Atlantic Ocean. It shares borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south.
- Capital: Windhoek, situated on the central plateau, is the political and economic centre.
- Major landscapes:
- Deserts: The Namib Desert runs along the coast with towering dunes; the Kalahari Desert occupies the east.
- Mountains: The Brandberg range and the Central Plateau rise inland.
- Rivers: Permanent rivers like the Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi and Orange mark the borders; many interior rivers are seasonal.
- Other features: The Fish River Canyon and Etosha Pan are prominent geological attractions.
- Climate: Largely arid to semi‑arid, with rainfall under 50 mm along the coast and up to 600 mm in the far north.
India–Namibia relations
- Diplomatic ties date back to Namibia’s independence in 1990. India supported Namibia’s liberation movement and remains a development partner.
- Recent agreements cover trade facilitation, digital payments (through India’s UPI platform), mineral cooperation and wildlife conservation, including relocation of cheetahs to India.
- Namibia is a member of the Global South coalition, and cooperation with India reflects broader south‑south solidarity.