His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia hosted a banquet in honour of the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in Windhoek yesterday (June 16, 2016).

In his banquet speech, President Mukherjee said Africa and India are centers of gravity in today’s globalised world. They have a responsibility to work together for peace, security, and sustainable development in our two continents. We share the view that reform of the United Nations and its principle organs - created in the wake of the Second World War - is an imperative. We agree that they need to be made more reflective of today’s changed world - so that they can respond more effectively to the complex challenges confronting the world today.

The President said India looks forward to working closely with Namibia in our common effort to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and in addressing other important global issues that require collective action by the international community. India, as a steadfast friend and reliable partner, will always consider it a matter of pride to stand shoulder to shoulder with Namibia in realising its people’s aspirations, progress in its region and peace in the world.

The President said India attaches high importance to enhancing her bilateral relations with Namibia. The two countries have focussed on human resource development, capacity building, cultural exchanges and closer cooperation in the education and defence sectors. India’s flagship programmes like Skill India, Make in India, Digital India and 100 Smart Cities could be workable models in Namibia as well. The flourishing bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries 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 have been jointly identified.

This release issued at 1230 hrs.