India gives high priority to its strategic partnership with Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (November 17, 2024) when he held extensive talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a focus on supporting bilateral cooperation in sectors such as defense, trade and energy.
In the talks, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to jointly fight terrorism, piracy and radicalization and work to achieve the aspirations of the Global South.
PM Modi offered India’s experience in agriculture, transport, affordable medicine, renewable energy, and digital transformation to Nigeria, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
On his part, Mr. Tinubu appreciated the development cooperation partnership offered by India and its beneficial impact in building local capacity, skills, and professional expertise.
PM Modi arrived in Abuja early Sunday (November 17, 2024) in the first trip to the country by an Indian Prime Minister after a gap of 17 years.
In a post on ‘X’, the prime minister described the talks with the Nigerian president as “very productive” and he spoke of increasing momentum for the strategic partnership.
“There is enormous scope for further development of ties in sectors such as defence, energy, technology, trade, health, education and others,” he said.
After the talks, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on cultural exchange, cooperation in customs and Cooperation surveys were signed.
In his televised opening speech at the delegation-level talks, PM Modi identified terrorism, separatism, piracy and drug trafficking as key challenges and said the two countries would continue to work together to tackle them.
“We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria…I believe that a new chapter in our relationship will begin after our talks,” the prime minister said.
PM Modi also described the around 60,000 strong Indian expatriate community as the main pillar of India-Nigeria relations and thanked Mr. Tinubu for ensuring their welfare.
The prime minister also announced that India is sending 20 tons of relief supplies to Nigerians affected by floods last month.
The MEA said PM Modi and Mr. Tinubu reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Nigeria strategic partnership.
“Expressing satisfaction with the progress of relations, they agreed that there is great potential for collaboration in the fields of trade, investment, education, energy, health, culture, and people-to-people relations,” he said.
“The two leaders also discussed improving defense and security cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to jointly fight terrorism, piracy and radicalization,” he said.
The two leaders also discussed global and regional issues, and President Tinubu acknowledged India’s efforts to raise the concerns of developing countries through the Voice of the Global South summit.
“The two leaders agreed to work together to meet the development aspirations of the Global South,” the MEA said in a statement.
In the meeting, PM Modi appreciated the role played by Nigeria as the chair of ECOWAS and its contribution to multilateral and plurilateral bodies.
ECOWAS or the Economic Community of West African States is a political and economic regional union of 15 countries in West Africa.
Alluding to Nigeria becoming a member of International Solar Alliance and International Big Cat Alliance, PM Modi invited President Tinubu to join other pro-planetary green initiatives launched by India, MEA said.
In his opening speech, PM Modi mentioned the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20 at the Group of India summit held last year and described it as a significant result.
Before the delegation level discussion, PM Modi and President Tinubu held a one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Villa.
The prime minister was also given a ceremonial welcome.
PM Modi is in Nigeria as part of a three-nation tour. From Abuja, he will travel to Brazil to attend the G20 summit. His final destination was Guyana.
India-Nigeria relations were elevated to a “strategic partnership” during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the African country in October 2007.
Nigeria has been a close partner of India for over sixty years.
New Delhi established a diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960.
The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of approximately 60,000, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
There are more than 200 Indian companies that have invested about $27 billion in all important manufacturing sectors and these companies are the second largest employer after the federal government, according to Indian officials.
India has emerged as Nigeria’s development partner on two fronts – by providing development assistance through concessional loans ($100 million) and offering capacity building training programs.
Published – 17 November 2024 20:07 IST
