Windhoek, Jun 16 (UNI) President Pranab Mukherjee and his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob today made a strong call for UN reform to give India and Africa their due place in the UNSC. At a Banquet given by the Namibian President in honour of President Mukherjee , the two leaders said it was a great anomaly that India and Africa with their over 2 billion people should be left out of the world body. The United Nations and its principal organs - created in the wake of the Second World War should undergo change to make them more reflective of today’s changed world, President Mukherjee said. Adapting these organs to new realities was imperative to make them respond more effectively to today’s complex challenges, he said. He also said that India looked forward to working closely with Namibia in their common effort to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and in addressing other important global issues. The President stressed that the long-standing friendship and co-operation between India and Namibia was based on the firm foundation of mutual trust and understanding. "Our two nations, though separated by the Indian Ocean, are united by our common experience of colonial rule and struggle for freedom. India believed that her own independence in 1947 remained incomplete so long as her brethren in Africa continued to be oppressed by foreign masters. India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of this country in their freedom movement, " he said. President Mukherjee said that under the leadership of the Namibian President, his country was surging ahead on the path of development. "The Harambee Prosperity Plan conceived by you has set a new and ambitious agenda for realizing inclusive development, social cohesion and enduring stability in Namibia. We, in India, welcome its principles and wish it great success.’’ Presidnet Mukherjee said. He noted that both the countries had been cooperating closely while making sustained efforts to realize their developmental goals. President Mukherjee said India has focussed on human resource development, capacity building, cultural exchanges and closer cooperation in the education and defence sectors. And it believed that its flagship programmes like Skill India, Make in India, Digital India and 100 Smart Cities could be workable models in Namibia. "Namibia is blessed with rich natural resources and an abundance of mineral wealth. Their efficient extraction and value addition using environment-friendly methods will contribute to the sustainable development of this sector of your economy. India has always been - and will continue to be - a reliable partner in your endeavours in this direction," he said. "Our flourishing bilateral trade and economic relations remind us of the still greater potential that is waiting to be realized. India is fully committed to the implementation of the projects and initiatives that we have jointly identified,’’ President Mukherjee said. UNI NAZ PS 0350