Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership, pledging to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security.
Our correspondent, Raliat Adenekan reports this is contained in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
Shortly after the Indian Prime Minister received a formal welcome, including a 21-artillery gun salute at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi went into an executive session, and later jointly presided over an expanded bilateral and political talks, during which the two leaders agreed to a greater collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s readiness to support Nigeria’s defence modernization efforts, as they also agreed to coordinated actions to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy, as a result of the growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean .
The two countries pledged to continue regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard critical maritime routes.
On bilateral trade expansion, both leaders directed their officials to finalize pending agreements, including the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to boost trade and investment.
The two leaders also discussed broader collaboration on food security and agriculture, health, education, and cultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Tinubu described the honour as a gesture of Nigeria’s appreciation and commitment to India as a worthy partner.
In his acceptance remarks, Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and the deep friendship between India and Nigeria.
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