Geneva, Switzerland – October 15, 2024 – The Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi, met with a delegation from the Indian Parliament led by Speaker Hon. Om Birla on the sidelines of the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly.
During the bilateral meeting, Hon. Katjavivi and Hon. Birla underscored the longstanding friendship between Namibia and India, dating back to the countries’ struggles for independence. Both leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen bilateral relations.
Key areas of discussion included parliamentary cooperation, capacity building, and the establishment of a Parliament Museum and Information Hub in Namibia. Hon. Birla pledged India’s support for the museum project, which was temporarily delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum will house artifacts and an interactive digital information system to preserve Namibia’s parliamentary history.
Hon. Birla also announced that the Indian government has approved plans to establish a Namibia/India Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Windhoek. This center will play a crucial role in facilitating business and trade between the two countries.
Hon. Katjavivi noted that the idea of a museum and information hub originated from his study visit to the Indian Parliament in 2021. He stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between Namibia and India, particularly in the areas of information technology and innovation.
