Niël Terblanché
Namibia and India successfully discussed several bilateral avenues of cooperation collaboration during the first-ever session of a ministerial commission held in Windhoek.
A meeting between Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and her Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday saw discussions on the advancement of bilateral ties in energy, green hydrogen, transport and connectivity, digital, pharmaceuticals, food security, science and technology.
Nandi-Ndaitwah co-chaired the first Joint Commission of Cooperation between India and Namibia with Jaishankar.
The Minister said the session focused on some of the most crucial matters affecting development in both Namibia and India.
“We have revisited issues of common interest in the areas of economic and infrastructure development, health, education and training, energy, cyber security, finance and agriculture to mention but a few,” she indicated.
She said that the parties have agreed that both governments have a responsibility to redouble efforts to promote closer cooperation in the areas that have been identified as critical.
“We have also agreed to enhance coordination between the various line Ministries of our two countries to ensure full implementation of the points we did agree on,” she said.
According to Nandi Ndaitwah, the time has come for both countries to fulfill the expectations of their people.
“It is time to turn our cooperation into a potent instrument of development and progress in our countries. Let us re-dedicate ourselves to ensure that joint decisions taken here are implemented timeously,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked her Indian counterpart for the successful deliberations which were conducted in an open and frank manner.
The minister added that she is looking forward to a second session that will be held in India at a date that still needs to be mutually agreed upon.
During the session, Jaishankar shared India’s perspectives on regional and global issues.
He said that Namibia and India should work together to work to drive shared perspectives in international forums.
