India's Modi Heads to Namibia on State Visit

Geopolitical & Economic Significance - India seeks alternative rare earth mineral markets due to China's export restrictions for geopolitical leverage [2] - Africa emerges as the next frontier for countries seeking mineral resources [3] - Prime Minister's visits to Ghana and Namibia highlight the importance of these countries in mineral resources [4] Trade & Investment - Trade between Ghana and India was $4 billion before COVID-19, currently at $3 billion, with a goal to double in the next five years [6] - Investment in Namibia is slightly under $1 billion [6] - Indian companies, including Airtel and pharmaceutical companies, have a significant presence in Africa, providing affordable generic medication [6] Strategic Positioning - India aims to reposition itself in the race for influence in Africa, emphasizing a long-standing history and partnership [7][9] - India differentiates itself from China (debt concerns) and the US (conditionalities) by emphasizing understanding and shared history with African nations [10] - India benefits from a generally favorable perception in Africa [11] Mineral Resources - Ghana possesses gold, uranium, lithium, and cobalt [4] - Namibia is the world's fourth largest producer of uranium oxide and also has copper, cobalt, zinc, and diamond [4] - These minerals are critical for green energy production and fetch good prices on the international market [5]