NEW DELHI — India and Namibia have agreed to move their bilateral trade beyond a raw-material-based composition toward value addition within Namibia, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The commitment was made at the Fourth Session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee (JTC), which concluded in New Delhi today with the signing of the agreed minutes by the two co-chairs.
Fourth Session concludes in New Delhi
The Fourth Session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee concluded in New Delhi today, according to News on AIR. The session had begun the previous day. Key details from the session:
- Indian co-chair: Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce
- Namibian co-chair: Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director, Ministry of International Relations and Trade
- Outcome: agreed minutes signed by the two co-chairs today
Move beyond raw-material composition
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that during the meeting both sides underlined the need to move bilateral trade beyond a raw-material-based composition towards value addition within Namibia.
Both sides underlined the need to move bilateral trade beyond a raw-material-based composition towards value addition within Namibia, and to translate discussions into concrete mechanisms with defined timelines and assigned responsibilities.
The Ministry added that the two sides agreed to translate their discussions into concrete mechanisms, with defined timelines and assigned responsibilities. The statement frames value addition within Namibia as the target for future bilateral trade.
Bilateral merchandise trade rises
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, bilateral merchandise trade between India and Namibia rose to over 592 million dollars in 2025-26, up from 568 million dollars in 2024-25.
| Fiscal Year | India–Namibia merchandise trade |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 568 million dollars |
| 2025-26 | over 592 million dollars |
The increase, from 568 million to over 592 million dollars, coincides with the two countries' stated ambition to diversify the composition of their bilateral trade beyond raw materials. The figures were released by the Ministry as part of its readout of the fourth JTC session.
What the outcome means for trade professionals
For importers, exporters and customs brokers following India-Namibia trade, the JTC outcome sets the policy direction contained in the Ministry's readout: both governments intend to move beyond raw-material-based trade toward value addition within Namibia, with defined timelines and assigned responsibilities for concrete mechanisms. The trade data released alongside the session — over 592 million dollars in bilateral merchandise trade for 2025-26 — accompanies that direction.
The agreed minutes were signed by the two co-chairs, Amit Kumar and Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, closing the fourth session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee in New Delhi. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in its readout, said both sides will translate discussions into concrete mechanisms with defined timelines and assigned responsibilities — the operational follow-up to the shared goal of moving beyond raw-material-based trade.
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