Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Nigeria in 17 years. During his visit, Modi and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held high-level talks and emphasized enhancing bilateral cooperation in several key sectors, including defense, security, trade, and regional development. The visit culminated in the presentation of Nigeria’s highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, to PM Modi for his efforts in strengthening the ties between India and Nigeria.
The Prime Minister’s visit marked a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations. In addition to holding restricted talks with President Tinubu, Modi participated in delegation-level discussions, focusing on the developmental aspirations of the Global South. Both leaders pledged to collaborate closely to address these shared priorities on the international stage.
In his televised remarks, Modi highlighted the continued cooperation between India and Nigeria in tackling various global challenges, including terrorism, separatism, piracy, and drug trafficking. He praised Nigeria’s leadership role as the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its strong contributions to multilateral bodies.
“Together, we will continue raising the priorities of the Global South on the world stage,” Modi stated, underscoring the significance of their partnership.
During the meeting, Modi thanked President Tinubu for his ongoing support to the 60,000-strong Indian diaspora in Nigeria and for granting him the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. The honor was bestowed upon the Indian leader in recognition of his statesmanship and contributions to fostering bilateral ties. Modi became the first foreign leader to receive the award since 1969, with the citation praising his leadership in positioning India as a global powerhouse.
Modi, in turn, dedicated the award to the people of India and emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. He said that the honor was a reflection of the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and their shared commitment to the aspirations of the Global South.
The two countries also signed three important memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit, aimed at furthering cultural exchanges, customs cooperation, and survey cooperation. Modi also announced the dispatch of 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nigeria to assist with the recent flood crisis in the country.
Dammu Ravi, Secretary for Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, briefed the media on the outcomes of the visit. He said the leaders discussed the need to address the challenges and aspirations of countries in the Global South and stressed the potential for India and Nigeria to collaborate on customized solutions for sustainable development. He also highlighted the strong presence of over 200 Indian companies in Nigeria, which have invested $27 billion and created numerous jobs in the country.
Both leaders also discussed boosting cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and transportation, with a focus on enhancing connectivity through railways. Modi expressed confidence that India and Nigeria could work together to advance their shared development goals, with Nigeria playing a pivotal role as a partner in promoting prosperity across the Global South.
This landmark visit underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Nigeria, reaffirming their commitment to fostering greater cooperation on both regional and global issues.
Sources By Agencies