21
Oct
Namibian High Commissioner to New Delhi Pius Dunaiski said over the weekend that he wants India to assist the African country in building up a strong defence system. The seasoned diplomat told the media that he recently discussed various issues, including peace keeping and an efficient anti-terrorism arrangement, with the Indian officials ahead of the crucial summit.
Dunaiski stressed that he requested India to train the Namibian Army, Air Force and Navy officers on advanced techniques and facilities used by the defence forces of other countries. Acknowledging India’s important role in establishing the Namibian Air Force, he said that Windhoek not only bought the first helicopters from India, but also received defence support from New Delhi. He further appreciated India’s role in educating and training officers of the Namibian Ministry of Defence.
Dunaiski, the 58-year-old diplomat who had served as Namibia’s Envoy to Germany and Angola in the past, expressed satisfaction over India’s anti-terrorism capabilities and peace-keeping strategies, saying: “Namibia can get a lot of help and learn in both the sectors.”
Although the diplomat claimed that his country faced no problem of terrorism in the past, he stressed that it would be important to make the necessary arrangements for tackling the “global” menace. According to the envoy, an efficient anti-terrorism system can only ensure global peace and stability.
At the same time, the senior Namibian official expressed hope that his country would boost its economy with India’s help. “Infrastructure development, agriculture, industrialisation and most importantly, the mining sector will be the prime areas of discussion with the Indian officials. Agriculture especially because the technology the Indians use in agriculture is very adaptable for the Africans. Industrialisation will be another important area because we want development in that sector,” Dunaiski told the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).
The envoy confirmed that a 85-member Namibian delegation, including President Hage Geingob, his wife and ministers of finance, national planning, mining and agriculture, will take part in the October 26-30 Indo-Africa Forum Summit. India and Namibia recently signed five agreements, including one on civil nuclear energy. Namibia has also emerged as the leading contributor of uranium to India.
Source: http://inserbia.info/today/2015/10/namibia-ready-to-boost-defence-ties-with-india/