Windhoek/New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing Namibia’s National Assembly, today said that India will always work for the progress of Africa, as it had done during its presidency of the G-20 in 2023 when the African Union was made a permanent member.
At the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Parliament of Namibia. Addressing the Parliament, PM Modi conveyed greetings from the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the largest democracy in the world to the members of the august House and to the friendly people of Namibia.
Recalling the historic ties between the two countries and their shared struggle for freedom, Prime Minister paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Sam Nujoma, the founding father of Namibia. He noted that the democratic values and principles championed by the founding fathers of the two countries continue to illuminate the path of progress in both countries. He lauded the role of the government and people of Namibia in deepening democracy in the country.
Prime Minister thanked the people of Namibia for bestowing on him their highest national honour. He noted that this special gesture was a tribute to the achievements of the Indian and Namibian democracies.
As sentinels of freedom, equality and justice, he called upon the two countries to work for the betterment of the Global South, so that the voices of its people are not just heard, but their hopes and aspirations are fully realized.
He underlined that India will always work for the progress of Africa, as it had done during its presidency of the G-20 when the African Union was made a permanent member of the group. He stated that India was privileged to share its development experience with Namibia and other countries in the continent. India remains committed to building capacity, developing skills, promoting local innovation and supporting Africa’s Agenda 2063.
He called for greater people-to-people interaction between the two countries so that the two democracies ever prosper. "Let our children not only inherit the freedom we fought for, but also the future we will build together.” – he said as he concluded his address.
The Namibian leg is the fifth and final of PM Modi’s five nation tour, which has taken him to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Brazil.
UNI RN