PM’s welcome speech on election of Sumitra Mahajan as Speaker of Lok Sabha

Honourable Madam Speaker,
Rt. Honourable Prime Minister,
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
Honourable Deputy Speaker,
Esteemed Members of Parliament,
My dear brothers and sisters,

Omwa Uhala Po Nawa?
Good Afternoon!

It is a great privilege to address this august House – a temple of democracy. I thank you for giving me this honour.

I stand before you as a representative of the mother of democracy. And, I bring with me warm greetings from 1.4 billion people of India.

Please allow me to begin with congratulating each and every one of you. People have given you the mandate to serve this great nation. In politics, as you know, that is both an honour, and a great responsibility. I wish you success in fullfiling the aspirations of your people.

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Friends,

A few months ago, you celebrated a historic moment. Namibia elected its first woman President. We understand and share your pride and joy, because in India we also proudly say - Madam President.

ये भारत का संविधान है, जिसके कारण एक गरीब आदिवासी परिवार की बेटी आज दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र की राष्ट्रपति हैं। ये संविधान की ही ताकत है, जिसके कारण मुझ जैसे गरीब परिवार में जन्मे व्यक्ति को लगातार तीसरी बार प्रधानमंत्री बनने का अवसर मिला है। जिसके पास कुछ भी नहीं है, उसके पास संविधान की गारंटी है !

It is the power of India’s Constitution that a daughter from a poor tribal family is today the President of India. It is this very Constitution that gave someone like me, the chance to become Prime Minister. Not once, not twice, but three times. When you have nothing, the Constitution gives you everything.

Distinguished Members,

As I stand in this august house, I pay tribute to the first President and founding father of Namibia, President Sam Nujoma who passed away earlier this year. He once said, and I quote:

"Our achievement of independence imposes upon us a heavy responsibility, not only to defend our hard-won liberty, but also, to set ourselves higher standards of equality, justice and opportunity for all, without regard to race, creed or colour.”

His vision of a just and free nation continues to inspire us all. We also honour the memories of the heroes of your freedom struggle - Hosea Kutako, Hendrik Witbooi, Mandume Ya Ndemufayo, and many others.

The people of India stood proudly with Namibia during your liberation struggle. Even before our own Independence, India raised the issue of South West Africa at the United Nations.

We supported SWAPO in your quest for freedom. In fact, New Delhi hosted their first ever diplomatic office abroad. And, it was an Indian, Lieutenant General Diwan Prem Chand, who led the UN peacekeeping force in Namibia.

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India is proud to have stood with you - not just in words, but in action. As the well known Namibian poet Mvula ya Nangolo wrote, and I quote:

"When freedom comes home to our country, We will proudly erect the finest monument in memory.”

Today, this very parliament, and this free and proud Namibia, are living monuments.

Distinguished Members,

India and Namibia have much in common. We both fought colonial rule. We both value dignity and freedom. Our Constitutions guide us to uphold equality, liberty, and justice. We are part of the Global South, and our people share the same hopes and dreams.

Today, I am deeply honoured to receive Namibia’s highest civilian award as a symbol of the friendship between our peoples. Like the tough, and elegant plants of Namibia, our friendship has stood the test of time. It quietly thrives in even the driest seasons. And, just like your national plant Welwitschia Mirabilis, it only grows stronger with age and time. On behalf of 1.4 billion people of India, I once again thank the President, the Government and the people of Namibia for this honour.

Friends,

India attaches great importance to its historic relations with Namibia. We not only value our ties from the past, but we are also focused on realising the potential of our shared future. We see great value in working together on Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

And, at the heart of our partnership are our people. Over 1700 Namibians have benefited from scholarships and capacity building programmes in India. We are excited to support the next generation of Namibian scientists, doctors, and leaders. The Centre of Excellence in IT, the India Wing at the JEDS Campus of the University of Namibia, and training in defence and security – each one of them reflects our shared belief that capacity is the best currency.

Speaking of currency, we are thrilled that Namibia is among the first countries in the region to adopt India’s UPI - Unified Payments Interface. Soon, people will be able to send money faster than one can say "Tangi Unene.” Soon, a Himba grandmother in Kunene, or a shopkeeper in Katutura, will be able to go digital with just a tap - faster than a Springbok.

Our bilateral trade has crossed 800 million dollars. But, like on the cricket field, we are just warming up. We will score faster and score more.

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We are honoured to support Namibia’s youth through the new Entrepreneurship Development Centre. It will be a place where business dreams can get mentorship, funding and friends too.

Health is another pillar of our shared priority. India’s health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat covers nearly 500 million people. But India’s concern for health is not limited to Indians alone.

India’s mission - "One Earth, One Health,” views health as a shared global responsibility.

During the pandemic, we stood with Africa – providing vaccines and medicines, even when many others refused to share. Our "Aarogya Maitri” initiative supports Africa with hospitals, equipment, medicines, and training. India is ready to supply Namibia with a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine for advanced cancer care. This 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.

We also invite Namibia to join the Jan Aushadhi programme for access to affordable and quality medicines. Under this programme, cost of medicines in India has been brought down by 50 to 80 percent. It is helping more than 1 million Indians daily. And so far it has helped patients save nearly 4.5 billion US dollars in healthcare costs.

Friends,

India and Namibia have a powerful story of cooperation, conservation and compassion, when you helped us in reintroducing Cheetahs in our country. We are deeply grateful for your gift. I had the privilege of releasing them in the Kuno National Park.

They have sent a message for you: इनिमा आइशे ओयिली नावा Everything is fine.

They are happy and have adapted well in their new home. They have grown in numbers as well. Clearly, they are enjoying their time in India.

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Friends,

We are working together through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Today Namibia has joined the Global Biofuels Alliance, and the International Big Cats Alliance.

As we look to the future, let us be guided by Namibia’s national bird, the African Fish Eagle. Known for its sharp vision and majestic flight, it teaches us to:

Soar together,
Scan the horizon,
and, boldly reach out for opportunities!

Friends,

In 2018, I had laid out ten principles of our engagement with Africa. Today, I reaffirm India’s full commitment to them. They are based on respect, equality, and mutual benefit. We seek not to compete, but to cooperate. Our goal is to build together. Not to take, but to grow together.

Our development partnership in Africa is worth over 12 billion dollars. But its real value is in shared growth and shared purpose. We continue to build local skills, create local jobs, and support local innovation.

We believe that Africa must not be just a source of raw materials. Africa must lead in value creation and sustainable growth. That is why we fully support Africa’s Agenda 2063 for industrialisation. We are ready to expand our cooperation in Defence and Security. India values Africa’s role in world affairs. We championed Africa’s voice during our G20 presidency. And we proudly welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.

Friends,

भारत आज अपने विकास के साथ ही दुनिया के सपनों को भी दिशा दे रहा है। और इसमें भी हमारा जोर ग्लोबल साउथ पर है।

In the 20th century, India’s independence lit a spark - one that inspired freedom movements across the world, including here in Africa. In the 21st century, India’s development lights a path, showing that the Global South can rise, lead, and shape its own future. The message is - You can succeed - on your own terms, without losing your identity.

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यह भारत का संदेश है — कि आप अपने रास्ते पर चलकर, अपनी संस्कृति और गरिमा के साथ, सफलता पा सकते हैं।

For this message to echo louder, we must act together. Let us create a future defined:

- Not by power, but by partnership.
- Not by dominance, but by dialogue.
- Not by exclusion, but by equity.

This will be the spirit of our shared vision –

"From Freedom to Future” - स्वतंत्रता से समृद्धि, संकल्प से सिद्धि।

From the spark of Independence to the light of shared progress. Let us walk this path, together. As two nations forged in the fires of freedom, let us now dream and build a future of dignity, equality and opportunity. Not just for our people, but for all of humanity.

Let us move forward as partners for peace, progress and prosperity. Let our children not only inherit the freedom we fought for, but the future we will build together. As I stand here today, I am full of hope. The best days of India–Namibia relations are ahead of us.

Friends,

I conclude by wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup. And, if your Eagles need any cricket tips, you know whom to call !

Thank you, once again, for this honour.
Tangi Unene!