Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Nigeria, the first stop in his five-day three-nation visit to strengthen global relationships. PM Modi landed in Nigeria to an extremely warm welcome from the local government and the Indian diaspora. Read to know the agenda of PM Modi’s Nigeria visit and what this maiden trip to the West African nation means for India…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nigeria
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria is historic as it is the first by any Indian Prime Minister in the last seventeen years. PM Modi is visiting Nigeria on the invitation of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his statement, PM Modi has said that his visit to Nigeria will be an opportunity to strengthen strategic ties between India-Nigeria as both nations share the core beliefs of democracy and pluralism. The Prime Minister also expressed his excitement and eagerness to interact with the Indian community in the West African nation and the locals who sent him welcome messages in Hindi.
PM Modi Nigeria Visit: What’s On Agenda
During his maiden visit to Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks to assess the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the ties. The BJP leader will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Nigeria. PM Modi will also be addressing the Indian diaspora in Nigeria.
PM Modi Nigeria Visit: What it Means for India
India and Nigeria have been carrying forward their strategic partnership since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. Over 200 Indian firms have invested over $27 billion in important sectors in the African nation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership.
MOUs Between India-Nigeria
India and Nigeria are expected to strengthen their strategic relationship and focus on key areas including defence, culture and education. The leaders of both nations are also expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas including audiovisual cooperation, culture, customs, digital public infrastructure and traditional medicine among others.
Economic Relationship and Bilateral Trade
India is one of the largest importers of Nigerian oil and this bilateral trade has strengthened India’s economic relationship with the West African country. Investments in manufacturing and infrastructure have also been made by Indian companies and they are among the largest employers in Nigeria. PM Modi’s visit to the nation is expected to boost trade, increase investments across sectors and strengthen the economic partnership between India-Nigeria.
Education
Thousands of Nigerian students have been coming to India for their higher education and the Indian government also offers 500 scholarships annually, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. India has also extended support to the Human Capital Development of Nigeria through technical and vocational training assistance programs among others. This visit to Nigeria is further expected to strengthen the thread of education between the two nations.
Security Cooperation – Defence
Nigeria has been facing several security challenges including insurgency and terrorism threats; India has played an important role in safeguarding and supporting Nigeria in these tough times and situations. Discussions are being done to strategise and help Nigeria with military training, counter-terrorism strategies and establishment of important defence institutions including the National Defence Academy (NDA).
India-Nigeria Relations
India and Nigeria have had a long-standing relationship for the last six decades as both nations and their partnership stands on the values of democracy, pluralism, and economic cooperation. In a special media briefing, Dammu Ravi, the Secretary of Economic Relations said, “Both the countries are multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-linguistic countries,” highlighting the similarities in their social and political landscapes which makes them more compatible.
PM Modi’s two-day visit to Nigeria will pave way for a stronger strategic partnership between the India-Nigeria, further improving ties between the two nations, that will go beyond just political interaction.
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