00:00Honourable Madam Speaker, Right Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
00:15Honourable Deputy Speaker, esteemed Members of Parliament, my dear brothers and sisters,
00:26Good afternoon.
00:42It is a great privilege to address this August house, a temple of democracy.
00:52I thank you for giving me this honour.
01:01I stand before you as a representative of the Mother of Democracy.
01:11And I bring with me warm greetings from 1.4 billion people of India.
01:31Please allow me to begin with congratulating each and every one of you.
01:50People have given you the mandate to serve this great nation.
01:57In politics, as you know, that is both an honour and a great responsibility.
02:14I wish you success in fulfilling the aspirations of your people.
02:27Friends, a few months ago, you celebrated a historic moment.
02:42Namibia elected its first women president.
02:47We understand and share your pride and joy because in India, we also proudly say, Madam President.
03:37It is the power of India's constitution.
04:07It is the power of India's constitution that a daughter from a poor tribal family is today the president of India.
04:18It is this very constitution that gave someone like me the chance to become prime minister.
04:38not once, not twice, not twice, but three times.
04:49When you have nothing.
04:51When you have nothing, the constitution gives you everything.
04:59Distinguished members, as I stand in this August house, I pay tribute to the first president and founding father of Namibia,
05:19President Sam Nyoma, who passed away earlier this year.
05:30He once said, and I quote, our achievements of independence imposes upon us a heavy responsibility,
05:48not only to defend our hard-won liberty, but also to set ourselves higher standards of equality, justice, and opportunity for all.
06:07Without regard to race, creed or color, I unquote.
06:18His vision of a just and free nation continue to inspire us all.
06:30We also honor the memories of the heroes of your freedom struggle.
06:37the freedom struggle.
06:38Hosya Kutako.
06:49Henry Wittboy.
06:54Mandubai Yanaday Mufayo.
07:02And many others.
07:05The people of India stood proudly with Namibia during your liberation struggle.
07:17Even before our own independence, India raised the issue of Southwest Africa at the United Nations.
07:30We supported SWAPO in your quest for freedom.
07:47In fact, New Delhi hosted their first-ever diplomatic office abroad.
07:56And it was an Indian Lieutenant General Divan Premchand, who led the UN peacekeeping force in Namibia.
08:15India is proud to have stood with you, not just in words, but in action.
08:34As the well-known Naminian poet, Mulwa Yan Nangola wrote, and I quote, when freedom comes home to our country, we will proudly erect the finest monument in memory.
09:03Unquote.
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09:05Today, this very parliament and this free and proud Namibia are living monuments.
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09:46and freedom. Our constitution guide us to uphold equality, liberty and justice. We are
10:06part of the global south and our people share the same hopes and dreams. Today, I am deeply
10:17honoured to receive Namibia's highest civilian award as a symbol of the friendship between
10:30our peoples. Like the tough and elegant plants of Namibia, our friendship has stood the test
10:50of time. It quietly thrives in even the most dry of seasons. And just like your national
11:04felvishyam mirabilis, it only grows stronger with age and time.
11:18On behalf of 1.4 billion people of India, I once again thank the president, the government
11:31and the people of Namibia for this honour.
11:38Friends, India attaches great importance to its historic relation with Namibia. We not
11:57only value our ties from the past, but we are also focused on realising the potential of
12:09our shared future. We see great value in working together on Namibia's Vision 2030 and the
12:27Arambe Prosperity Plan. And at the heart of our partnership are our people. Our 1,700,
12:51Namibians have benefited from scholarships and capacity building programmes in India.
13:03We are excited to support the next generation of Namibian scientists, doctors and leaders.
13:20leaders, the centre of excellence in IT, the centre of excellence in IT, the India being at the
13:32chair's campus of the University of Namibia and training in defence and security. Each one of them reflects
13:44our shared belief that capacity is the best currency. Speaking of currency, we are thrilled that
13:58Navibia is the first country to adopt India's UPI, Unified Payment Interface Technology. Soon, people will be able to send money faster than one can say Tengi Unene.
14:24Soon, a Himba, grandmother in Kunene or a shopkeeper in Kututura will be able to go digital with just a tap, faster than one can say Tengi Unene.
14:52And faster than a spring bob. Our bilateral trade has crossed 800 million dollars. But like on the cricket field, we are just warming up.
15:20We are just warming up. We will score faster and score more. We are honoured to support Navibia's youth through the new Entrepreneurship Development Centre.
15:48It will be a place where business dreams can get mentorship, funding and friends too. Health is another pillar of our shared priority.
16:12India's health insurance scheme. India's health insurance scheme covers nearly 500 million people. But India's concern for health is not limited to Indians alone.
16:32India's health.
16:33India's mission, one earth, one health.
16:39India's health.
17:06Our Aarogya Maitri initiative supports Africa with hospitals, equipment, medicines and training.
17:26India is ready to supply Navibya with a bhaabha-tron radiotherapy machine for advanced cancer care.
17:41This machine developed in India has been deployed in 15 countries and has helped nearly half a million patients in different countries with critical cancer care.
18:07We also invite Navibya to join the Jan Aushadi program for access to affordable and quality medicines.
18:24Under this program, cost of medicines in India has been brought down by 50 to 80 percent.
18:39It is helping more than one million Indians daily.
18:46And so far, it has helped patients save nearly 4.5 billion US dollars in health care costs.
19:01Friends, India and Navibya have a powerful story of cooperation, conservation and compassion.
19:15When you help us in reintroducing Cheetahs in our country, we are deeply grateful for your gift.
19:29I had the privilege of releasing them into the Kuno National Park.
19:44They have sent a message for you.
19:50Inima, I say, oily, nawa.
20:02Everything is fine.
20:07They are happy and have adapted well in their new home.
20:14They have grown in numbers as well.
20:19Clearly, they are enjoying their time in India.
20:27Friends, we are working together through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
20:43Today, Navibya has joined the Global Biofuel Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance.
20:56As we look to the future, let us be guided by Navibya's national bird, the African fish eagle.
21:12It is known for its sharp vision and majestic flights.
21:19It teaches us to soar together, scan the horizon and boldly reach out for opportunities.
21:32Friends, in 2018, I had laid out ten principles of our engagement with Africa.
21:48Today, I reaffirm India's full commitment to them.
21:55They are based on respect, equality and mutual benefit.
22:04We seek not to compete, but to cooperate.
22:14Our goal is to build together, not to take, but to grow together.
22:23Our development partnership in Africa is worth over 12 billion dollars, but its real value is in shared growth and shared purpose.
22:40We continue to build local skills, create local jobs and support local innovation.
22:53We believe that Africa must not be just a source of raw materials.
23:08Africa must lead in value creation and sustainable growth.
23:15That is why we fully support Africa's Agenda 2063 for industrialization.
23:30We are ready to expand our cooperation in defense and security.
23:37India values Africa's role in world affairs.
23:43We championed Africa's voice during our G20 presidency.
23:48And we proudly welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.
24:01Friends,
24:03We all certainly have now as a representative of the G20.
24:07This is the name of the G20.
24:08This is the name of the G20, the G20.
24:11I can see you in the Central Bank.
24:20If you look at the G20.
24:22और बुनीया के सपनों को भी दिशा दे रहा है.
24:27अर इसमें भी हमारा जोर ग्लोबल साउथ पर। है।
24:32or one that inspired freedom movements across the world, including here in Africa.
24:44In the 21st century, India's development lights a path showing that the Global South
24:55can rise, lead and shape its own future.
25:02The message is, you can succeed on your own terms without losing your identity.
25:16For this message to echo louder, we must act together.
25:28For this message to echo louder, we must act together.
25:43Let us create a future defined not by power, but by partnership.
25:57Not by dominance, but by dialogue.
26:05Not by exclusion, but by equity.
26:14This will be the spirit of our shared vision.
26:20From freedom to future, swathantrata se samruddi, sankalpa se siddhi.
26:31From the spark of independence to the light of shared progress, let us walk this path together.
26:43As two nations' force in the fires of freedom, let us now dream and build a future of dignity,
26:55equality and opportunity.
27:00not just for our people, but for all of humanity.
27:12Let us move forward as partners for peace, progress and prosperity.
27:23Let our children not only inherit the freedom we fought for, but the future we will build together.
27:38As I stand here today, I am full of hope.
27:44Friends, I conclude by wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
28:14And if your e-girls need any cricket tips, you know whom to call.
28:43Thank you, once again, for this honor, Tengi Uneneh.
28:50Thank you, once again, for this honor, Tengi Uneneh.
