PM Modi’s Nigeria visit boosts strategic ties and Global South support
ABUJA : In his first visit to Nigeria, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was hosted by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in capital Abuja, The leaders of Nigeria and India pledged stronger ties in maritime security and counter terrorism during a meeting on Sunday where they also agreed on more support for Global South nations.
PM Modi arrived in the capital Abuja on Saturday night and met Nigerian President Tinubu at the presidential villa on Sunday where the two leaders also discussed economic development, defence, healthcare and food security, a joint statement said.
With growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, the two countries agreed to coordinated action to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy.
PM Modi has often touted India as the voice of the Global South, the group of countries primarily considered developing nations, including Nigeria, but which also includes China and several wealthy Persian Gulf states.
“Together we will also continue to highlight at the global level the priorities of the Global South and thanks to our joint efforts, we will achieve success as well in this,” said PM Modi.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is seeking to woo more Indian investment and cheaper lines of credit to boost its economy and create jobs.
On the sidelines of the G20 summit last year, Nigeria said it had secured nearly $14 billion of pledges from Indian investors, including Jindal Steel and Power which committed to pump $3 billion into Nigeria’s steel sector.
There are more than 200 Indian companies operating in Nigeria.
A joint statement said both leaders pledged greater collaboration in counter terrorism, maritime security and intelligence sharing to cope with growing threats in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea, the area off the coast of West Africa that is one of the world’s most dangerous for piracy.
Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa with total bilateral trade between estimated at $14.9 billion in 2022. There are also at least 60,000 Indian nationals and 200 Indian companies in Nigeria, authorities say.
The Nigerian leader conferred on PM Modi the title of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, describing PM Modi as a representation of a “very strong commitment to democratic values and norms.”
“Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India and will work to broaden the same for the mutual benefits of our two friendly countries,” Tinubu said.