Foreign: Indian PM Promises “Strategic Partnership” With Nigeria Ahead His Meeting With Tinubu

 

The Prime Minister of India Nareda Modi is visiting Nigeria on Saturday, according to the Presidency.

Apart from Nigeria, the Indian premier will also visit Brazil and Guyana during his five-day to friendly nation’s.

The leader of the world’s most populous nation is visiting the country for the first time, and the second for any Indian Prime Minister.

The Indian leader, in a statement issued by his office before his departure said he was invited by President Tinubu, and he’s delighted to visit the country to further promote relations with Nigeria.

“At the invitation of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region. My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism. I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi,” Modi said in a statement.

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed’s Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy the Indian leader will meet the Nigerian leader in the Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja where they are expected to have bilateral discussions.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Tinubu will welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a State Visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.

“Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

“His visit to Nigeria will be the first by an Indian prime minister since Dr Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, when the two nations established a strategic partnership.

“President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will seek to strengthen Nigeria’s and India’s ties further during their bilateral discussions.

“Both leaders will exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in critical sectors.”

Checks by the magazine indicates that there is a sizeable number of Indians in Nigeria, particularly, in the business sector where they are doing well.