Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Namibia as part of his five-country outreach tour. Namibia, rich in minerals such as uranium and diamonds, holds strategic importance for India.

Modi is visiting Namibia at the invitation of President Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release in New Delhi ahead of Modi’s five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia.During his visit, the prime minister will hold bilateral talks with President Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Namibia has the world’s richest known marine diamond deposits, estimated at over 80 million carats. Currently, Namibia’s rough diamonds reach India indirectly through hubs like London and Antwerp. During this visit, PM Modi is expected to explore ways to establish more direct diamond trade links between the two countries.

India has invested more than $ 800 million (about ₹ 6,600 crores) in Namibia in many sectors including mining, manufacturing, diamond processing and services.Apart from diamonds, cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements and minerals are found in Namibia, which are important for India to move towards clean energy.

Bilateral trade has shown strong growth. In 2022-23, trade stood at $278 million, with India’s exports at $240 million. From April to November 2023, two-way trade surged by 178%, reaching $654 million. India’s exports totaled $418 million, while imports from Namibia were $235 million.

Karpinsky-2 holds more than 40 million tonnes of diamond-bearing ore and was first evaluated in 2018 through pilot mining operations, which confirmed its commercial viability. Preparatory work for full development began earlier this year, and the project officially moved into the design phase during a recent visit by ALROSA CEO Pavel Marinychev.

Marinychev, who personally launched the design stage, also assessed Severalmaz’s performance for 2025 during his visit. In the first five months of the year, the company surpassed its ore extraction targets and improved operational efficiency, resulting in a 9.4% increase in ore processing. These gains translated into the production of more than 1.2 million carats of rough diamonds.

The CEO also reviewed progress on a new water recycling system at the Lomonosov processing plant and emphasized the importance of completing a gym facility for workers at the shift village by year-end, highlighting the company’s focus on both sustainability and employee well-being.

“I am sure that the work of the Severalmaz team will drive the enterprise’s continued growth. We remain committed to providing safe working conditions and contributing to the development of the Arkhangelsk region,” Marinychev stated.

ALROSA, which produces about 30% of the world’s diamonds and 90% of Russia’s output, reported production of 33 million carats in 2024. The company’s proven reserves exceed 1 billion carats, solidifying its position as the global leader in diamond mining.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Namibia on July 9, part of a five-nation tour that also includes Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. The trip marks Modi’s first official visit to the Southern African nation and underscores New Delhi’s ambition to deepen economic ties in the diamond sector.

While Indian firms such as Ankit Gems and KGK already run cutting and polishing units in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, rough stones currently reach India indirectly via other global trading hubs. Modi’s visit is expected to pave the way for more direct diamond shipments, streamlining trade flows between the two countries.

Namibia ranks as the world’s fifth-largest diamond producer by value and volume, according to Kimberley Process data, and is especially known for its rich marine diamond reserves, estimated at over 80 million carats.

The agenda extends beyond gemstones. Modi is also set to discuss cooperation on critical minerals and uranium—resources vital to India’s clean energy ambitions and energy security. During the visit, he is scheduled to address the Namibian Parliament, signaling the strategic importance New Delhi places on closer engagement with Africa’s resource-rich economies.