Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria underscores the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, emphasizing strategic partnerships across multiple sectors. During discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperation in defense, energy, and technology while addressing humanitarian assistance. The trip signifies India’s dedicated engagement with Nigeria, a relationship evolving for over sixty years, with substantial Indian investments in the country.
During a recent visit to Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of strengthening India-Nigeria ties, highlighting a shared commitment to their strategic partnership. In his discussions with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, he stated, “We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria,” underlining collaborative efforts across sectors including defense, energy, technology, health, education, and culture. Modi noted that ongoing cooperation aims to combat challenges such as terrorism and smuggling while expressing India’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance, having dispatched 20 tonnes of relief materials in the wake of recent floods. This official visit marks the first by an Indian prime minister to Nigeria in 17 years, underscoring the importance India places on these bilateral relations, which have flourished for over sixty years. Modi recognized the influential role of the Indian diaspora in Nigeria, numbering 60,000, as vital to the partnership between the two nations. Additionally, he acknowledged the African Union’s elevation to a permanent G20 member, reflecting Africa’s growing global influence. Historically, India established its first diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958, just prior to the latter’s independence. The 2007 visit by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh elevated these ties to a strategic level, paving the way for significant economic engagement. Currently, over 200 Indian companies have invested approximately $27 billion into various sectors in Nigeria, reinforcing their status as the second-largest employers after the federal government. As Prime Minister Modi stated, “I believe that with our dialogues today, a new chapter would be added to our relations. Together, we will highlight the priorities of Global South on a global scale…” The discussions and commitments made during this visit signal a promising future for India-Nigeria relations, emphasizing mutual growth and collaboration.
The relationship between India and Nigeria dates back over sixty years, with historical ties that began with India’s establishment of its first diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958. Since Nigeria’s independence, bilateral relations have continually strengthened, particularly after the strategic partnership was formalized during the 2007 visit by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two nations share common interests in large sectors such as defense, energy, and technology, bolstered by significant Indian investment in Nigeria’s economy, making Indian firms major employers in the region. As both countries navigate contemporary global challenges, including security threats and economic cooperation, the relationship is poised for further development.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Nigeria marks a pivotal moment in enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria. By focusing on collaborative efforts across various sectors and emphasizing humanitarian support, the discussions initiated a new trajectory for bilateral relations. With the substantial involvement of the Indian diaspora and significant economic investments, the future of India-Nigeria ties looks promising, driven by mutual interests and shared aspirations for progress.
Original Source: www.wionews.com
