India accords high priority to its strategic partnership with Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (November 17, 2024) as he held wide-ranging talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a focus on shoring up bilateral cooperation in sectors such as defence, trade and energy.

In their talks, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to jointly fight terrorism, piracy and radicalisation and work towards meeting the aspirations of the Global South.

PM Modi offered India’s experience in agriculture, transportation, 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 meaningful impact in creating local capacities, skills, and professional expertise.

PM Modi arrived in Abuja early Sunday (November 17, 2024) on 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 that they talked about adding momentum to the strategic partnership.

“There is immense scope for ties to flourish even further in sectors like defence, energy, technology, trade, health, education and more,” he said.

Following the talks, three Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) on cultural exchange, cooperation in customs and survey Cooperation were signed.

In his televised opening remarks at the delegation-level talks, PM Modi identified terrorism, separatism, piracy and drug trafficking as major challenges and said the two countries will continue to work together to deal with them.

“We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria…I am confident that a new chapter in our ties will begin following our talks,” the prime minister said.

PM Modi also described the around 60,000-strong Indian expatriate community as a key pillar of India-Nigeria relations and thanked Mr. Tinubu for ensuring their welfare.

The prime minister also announced that India is sending 20 tonnes of relief supplies for Nigerian people hit by last month’s floods.

The MEA said PM Modi and Mr. Tinubu reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen India-Nigeria strategic partnership.

“Expressing satisfaction at the progress of ties, they agreed that there was immense potential for collaboration in the fields of trade, investment, education, energy, health, culture, and people-to-people ties,” it said.

“The two leaders also discussed enhancing defence and security cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to jointly fighting terrorism, piracy and radicalisation,” it said.

The two leaders also discussed global and regional issues, and President Tinubu acknowledged India’s efforts to amplify the concerns of developing countries through the Voice of the Global South summits.

“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.

The ECOWAS or Economic Community of West African States is a regional political and economic union of 15 countries of West Africa.

Alluding to Nigeria’s membership of the International Solar Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance, PM Modi invited President Tinubu to join other pro-planet green initiatives launched by India, the MEA said.

In his opening remarks, PM Modi referred to the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20 at the India-hosted summit of the grouping last year and described it as a significant outcome.

Before the delegation-level talks, PM Modi and President Tinubu held one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Villa.

The prime minister was also accorded 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 last destination will be Guyana.

The India-Nigeria ties were elevated to the status of a “strategic partnership’ during then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the African nation in October 2007.

Nigeria has been a close partner of India for over six decades.

New Delhi established its diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960.

The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of about 60,000, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the importance of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

There are more than 200 Indian companies who have invested about $27 billion in all important manufacturing sectors and these companies are the second largest employers after the federal government, according to Indian officials.

India has emerged as a development partner of Nigeria on two fronts – by offering developmental assistance through concessional loans ($100 million) and by offering capacity-building training programmes.

PM Narendra Modi with President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday (November 17, 2024).
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (November 17, 2024) held extensive talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on boosting the India-Nigeria partnership in various areas, including trade, investment, and digital public infrastructure.

PM Modi arrived in the Nigerian capital early Sunday (November 17, 2024) on the first trip to the West African country by an Indian Prime Minister after a gap of 17 years.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the presidential villa following which he held one-on-one meetings with Mr. Tinubu.

Both sides are likely to ink several agreements following the delegation-level talks.

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 last destination will be Guyana.

The India-Nigeria ties were elevated to the status of a “strategic partnership’ during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the African nation in October 2007.

Nigeria has been a close partner of India for over six decades.

New Delhi established its diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960.

The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of about 60,000, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the importance of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

There are more than 200 Indian companies who have invested about USD 27 billion in all important manufacturing sectors and these companies are the second largest employers after the federal government, according to Indian officials.

India has emerged as a development partner of Nigeria on two fronts – by offering developmental assistance through concessional loans ($100 million) and by offering capacity-building training programmes.

PM Narendra Modi with President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday (November 17, 2024).
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (November 17, 2024) held extensive talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on boosting the India-Nigeria partnership in various areas, including trade, investment, and digital public infrastructure.

PM Modi arrived in the Nigerian capital early Sunday (November 17, 2024) on the first trip to the West African country by an Indian Prime Minister after a gap of 17 years.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the presidential villa following which he held one-on-one meetings with Mr. Tinubu.

Both sides are likely to ink several agreements following the delegation-level talks.

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 last destination will be Guyana.

The India-Nigeria ties were elevated to the status of a “strategic partnership’ during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the African nation in October 2007.

Nigeria has been a close partner of India for over six decades.

New Delhi established its diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960.

The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of about 60,000, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the importance of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

There are more than 200 Indian companies who have invested about USD 27 billion in all important manufacturing sectors and these companies are the second largest employers after the federal government, according to Indian officials.

India has emerged as a development partner of Nigeria on two fronts – by offering developmental assistance through concessional loans ($100 million) and by offering capacity-building training programmes.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Brazil to attend the annual G20 summit and to Nigeria and Guyana as part of a three-nation visit beginning November 16, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

PM Modi’s first destination will be Nigeria and it will be the first visit to the resource-rich African country by an Indian prime minister in 17 years.

From Nigeria, PM Modi will travel to the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro on a two-day trip beginning November 18 to participate in the G20 summit. India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa.

The prime minister will put forward India’s positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits, the MEA said.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi is expected to meet several leaders, it said.

Under its G20 presidency that ended on November 30 last year, India focused on a variety of issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate financing and equitable global health access with an aim largely to benefit the Global South or the developing countries.

PM Modi will visit Nigeria from November 16 to 17 at the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the MEA said.

“During the visit, the prime minister will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship,” it said.

He is also scheduled to address a gathering of the Indian community in Nigeria.

“India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. More than 200 Indian companies have invested over USD 27 billion in important sectors in Nigeria,” the MEA said.

It said India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership.

The prime minister’s final destination will be Guyana. He will visit the island nation from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, according to the MEA.

“This visit to Guyana will be the first by an Indian prime minister since 1968,” it said.

In 2023, President Ali visited India as the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Indore and he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

“During the visit, the prime minister will hold discussions with President Ali, meet other senior leaders of Guyana, address the Parliament of Guyana and address a gathering of the Indian diaspora,” the MEA said.

“In Georgetown, Guyana, the prime minister will also participate in the second CARICOM-India Summit and hold meetings with leaders of CARICOM member countries to further enhance India’s long-standing friendship with the region,” it said.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an intergovernmental organisation of 15 member states in the Caribbean region having the primary objective to promote economic integration and cooperation among the members. 
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Image of diplomats shaking hands for representation only
| Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA

India and Nigeria have identified areas such as crude oil, natural gas, pharmaceuticals, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), local currency settlement system, and power sector to increase cooperation for boosting economic ties.

The commerce ministry on May 3 said that these issues among others were discussed during a recent visit of a seven-member delegation from India to Nigeria.

The delegation was led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.

The Indian delegation consisted of officials from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), EXIM Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the ministry said in a statement.

It said that both sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing bilateral trade as well as mutually beneficial investments.

“These include resolving of market access issues of both sides, and cooperation in key sectors such as crude oil and natural gas, pharmaceuticals, UPI, local currency settlement system, power sector and renewable energy, agri and food Processing, education, transport, railway, aviation, MSMEs,” it said.

They also agreed to early conclusion of Local Currency Settlement System Agreement to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Nigeria is the second largest trading partner of India in Africa region.

Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria declined to $7.89 billion in 2023-24 from $11.8 billion in 2022-23.

With a total investment of $27 billion, about 135 Indian companies are actively engaged in Nigeria. These investments traverse diverse sectors, encompassing infrastructure, manufacturing, consumer goods and services.