Modi invokes India's support for Namibia's freedom inside country's Parliament

Saying that he is a representative from "mother of democracy", Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address before the Namibian Parliament in Windhoek on Wednesday invoked India’s long-standing support for Namibia’s freedom struggle.

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The Prime Minister expressed India's commitment to working alongside the African nation as New Delhi aspires to complete its developmental plans under ‘Vision 2030’.

In his address before Namibian lawmakers, Modi said that India had supported Namibia’s independence movement even before gaining its own freedom, raising the issue of South West Africa at the United Nations and backing the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

“The people of India stood proudly with Namibia during your freedom struggle,” he said.

He also said that India hosted SWAPO’s first ever diplomatic office abroad.

Furthermore, Modi paid tributes to founding president of Namibia — Sam Nujoma and the country's freedom fighters, calling their contributions an inspiration.

“We honour the memory of the fighters of your freedom struggle," he said.

“It was Indian Lieutenant General Dewan Prem Chand who led the UN peacekeeping force in Namibia. India is proud to have stood with you, not just in words but in action," he added.

Underscoring India's democratic credentials, he said, "I stand before you as representative of the mother of democracy".

In his reference for reverence of women in Indian society, the PM referring to Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, said, “Namibia elected its first woman president; in India, too, we proudly say Madam president.”

Modi in his speech as long mentioned about 'Project Cheetah' under which India brought cheetahs from the southern African nation with the aim to revive the feline species in the country.

“I am grateful to you for sending the cheetahs. They have sent a message to you — ‘Everything is fine’,” he said.

The first batch of eight cheetahs (comprising five females and three males) was transported from Namibia to Madhya Prafesh's Juno National Park on September 17, 2022.