“Reclaiming Roots: India, Namibia, and the Return of the Cheetahs” Diplomatic Milestone, Future-Ready Partnership

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Namibia

📰 Intro: A Landmark Visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi touches down in Namibia, the spotlight is once again on India’s deepening engagement with the African continent. This visit underscores a strategic shift — from viewing Africa merely as a trade partner to recognizing it as a geopolitical, economic, and cultural priority in India’s foreign policy.

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🌍 Why Namibia Matters

1. Cheetah Diplomacy
   • Namibia played a crucial role in reintroducing cheetahs to India.
   • Symbol of growing wildlife and environmental cooperation.
2. Natural Resources and Energy Security
   • Rich in uranium, diamonds, and rare minerals.
   • Potential for India’s clean energy transition.
3. Maritime and Strategic Interests
   • Key location near Atlantic shipping routes.
   • Scope for naval collaboration and blue economy development.

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🌐 Why Africa Is Central to India’s Global Vision

1. A Growing Market
   • By 2050, Africa will have a population of over 2.5 billion.
   • Rising middle class and consumer demand make it a major export destination.
2. Food and Energy Security
   • Opportunities for agricultural cooperation.
   • Investments in renewable energy projects across the continent.
3. Geopolitical Alignment
   • Africa supports India’s UN Security Council aspirations.
   • Shared interests in a multipolar, rules-based international order.
4. China Factor
   • India counters China’s influence through development partnerships, education, and technology sharing.

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🤝 India–Africa Partnership Model

• People-Centric Development: India’s aid includes capacity-building, education scholarships, and health missions.
• Digital Cooperation: Expansion of digital public infrastructure and fintech solutions like UPI.
• Defence and Security Ties: Joint military exercises, anti-terror cooperation, and defense training programs.

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🔍 Conclusion: More Than Diplomacy

PM Modi’s visit to Namibia is symbolic of a broader pivot — India sees Africa not just as a partner of the past, but as a key player in the future global order. From shared democratic values to economic cooperation and strategic defense ties, the India–Africa relationship is entering a new and transformative phase.

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📝 UPSC Prelims PYQs on Africa

1. Prelims 2023
   Q: With reference to the African Swine Fever, consider the following statements:
   • It is a highly contagious viral disease.
   • It affects only pigs.
   • There is no effective vaccine.
     Answer: All are correct.
2. Prelims 2020
   Q: Consider the following pairs:
   | Country — Region often mentioned in news |
   |—————-|————————|
   | Chad — Sahel Region |
   | Guinea — Horn of Africa |
   | Oman — Arabian Peninsula |
   Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
   Answer: 1 and 3 only
3. Prelims 2019
   Q: Consider the following pairs:
   | Famous Place — Country |
   |—————-|———-|
   | Aleppo — Syria |
   | Kirkuk — Yemen |
   | Mosul — Iraq |
   Which of the pairs are correctly matched?
   Answer: 1 and 3 only
   (Though not in Africa, similar map-based questions are common.)

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🧭 UPSC Mains PYQs on Africa (GS Paper 2 & 3)

1. GS Paper 2 – 2021
   Q: “India’s engagement with Africa has shifted from aid-based to partnership-based.” Elucidate.
2. GS Paper 2 – 2019
   Q: What are the challenges to India–Africa relations in the context of China’s growing influence?
3. GS Paper 2 – 2016
   Q: Discuss the significance of India-Africa Forum Summit in strengthening India-Africa relations.
4. GS Paper 2 – 2013
   Q: The proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seen as a game changer for the continent. Analyze its impact and how India can benefit.

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📌 Common Themes for UPSC on Africa:

• India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
• India–Namibia Cheetah project
• China’s presence in Africa (Belt and Road Initiative)
• Maritime security (Indian Ocean, Djibouti)
• African Union and India
• Africa’s role in UNSC reforms
• Health diplomacy (COVID-19, vaccines)
• Blue economy and SAGAR vision

International Relations (UPSC Mains) – Previous Year Questions

2023

1. Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO; In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
2. Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India.
3. The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India. What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.
4. ‘Sea is an important component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security.

2022

1. ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement.
2. Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation?
3. How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?
4. ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.

2021

1. “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years.
2. “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain.
3. Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
4. The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.

2020

1. Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples.
3. ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is the transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss.
4. What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

2019

1. ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment.
2. ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.
3. “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self- esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples.

2018

1. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be roiled back.” Discuss.
2. A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
3. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?
4. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

2017

1. ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.  (150 words)
2. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.  (150 words)
3. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (250 words)
4. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (250 words)

2016

1. “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
2. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.
3. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable.

2015

1. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
2. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council.
3. Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.
4. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.

2014

1. With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China.
2. The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact should such agreements have on India’s interests?

2013

1. The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests.
2. What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
3. The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
4. Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?
5. In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.
6. What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss.
7. Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in the recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth.
8. The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.
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