At Bilateral Talks, Nigeria, India Reinforce Strategic Partnership

Nigeria and India on Sunday, reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership, pledging to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security.

This formed the highpoint of a joint statement issued at the State House in Abuja at the end 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 a closed-door meeting, and later jointly presided over an expanded bilateral and political talks.

During their bilateral discussion, the two leaders agreed to a greater collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.

With growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, Nigeria and India also agreed to coordinated actions to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy.

The two countries pledged to continue regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard critical maritime routes.

”The leaders reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing networks and safe havens.

”They called for zero tolerance to terrorism and expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism in the UN Framework as well as implementation of the UNGA and the UNSC resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism.

”It was agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of counter terrorism,” the joint statement said.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s readiness to support Nigeria’s defence modernization efforts, highlighting India’s emergence as a trusted defence manufacturer.

The two leaders also highlighted the vibrant economic relationship between India and Nigeria, with India positioned as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a significant contributor to its economy.

Nigeria commended the contributions of over 200 Indian companies operating in the country, which have generated substantial employment and investment opportunities.

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.

They noted with satisfaction ”the fruitification of some of the investments” agreed to by the Indian companies during the visit of President Tinubu to India in September 2023, and committed to facilitating early finalization of the remaining investments.

On the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit held from September 9th-10th, 2023, in New Delhi, the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Business Conference had taken place, where Indian investors pledged a combined total of over $14 billion across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The investments were targeted on industrialization, energy, telecommunications, and defence sectors

On infrastructure Development, the joint statement arising from Prime Minister Modi’s state visit, stated that India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development priorities through concessional Lines of credit and technical expertise.

On energy collaboration, Nigeria and India agreed on long-term contracts for crude oil and LNG supply and technical support in pipeline transmission security, CNG conversion and LPG bottling distribution.

The two leaders also discussed broader collaboration on food security and agriculture, health, education, and cultural exchanges.

On food security, the leaders agreed that it remains a priority for developing countries especially with bigger populations.

”Nigeria thanked India for providing the necessary concessions sought for in the supply of rice at the time of their need.

”They agreed to enhance collaboration in the area of agriculture from agricultural machinery, high yield seeds to sharing technical expertise, know-how and technologies and agreed to identify ways of cooperation in these areas.

”The Indian side thanked the Nigerian side for supporting the Indian Resolution at the UN to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets and agreed to increase collaboration between India and Nigeria in the area of Millets, ” the joint statement further said.

On healthcare sector, Nigeria and India pledged to deepen their collaboration focusing on the establishment of hospitals and diagnostic centers, as well as the deployment of innovative health management systems.

Both sides acknowledged the ongoing efforts by Indian hospitals operating in Nigeria and highlighted the vast potential for further collaboration to enhance healthcare delivery across the country.

The Indian government offered to share its CoWIN digital platform, an open-source health management infrastructure that has revolutionized vaccination campaigns and health data management in India.

This system is expected to support Nigeria’s healthcare system by improving the efficiency and accessibility of vaccination programs and other health initiatives.

The Indian government also extended its commitment to supply high-quality generic pharmaceutical products to Nigeria at economical rates under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme- a campaign launched by India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.

This initiative is aimed at making essential medicines more affordable, particularly for vulnerable populations, and supporting Nigerian public hospital procurement processes.

Nigeria and India reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on education, cultural exchanges, and fostering strong people-to-people contacts, building on longstanding historical ties and mutual aspirations.

India was acknowledged as a significant partner in Nigeria’s human resource development through various scholarship programs, including the eVBAB scheme, which facilitates virtual learning opportunities.

Both sides agreed to work together to encourage more Nigerian students to leverage these scholarship programmes.

President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi applauded the vibrant cultural and academic exchanges between the two nations, which have included visits by cultural troupes, participation in film and literary festivals, and other collaborative activities.

They underscored the importance of further widening these exchanges to promote mutual understanding and shared heritage.

The leaders recognized the role of tourism in enhancing people-to-people connections and emphasized the need to explore opportunities for promoting travel and cultural interaction between Nigeria and India.

On working together through its membership in international organizations, India commended Nigeria for its reciprocal support of non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2028-2029.

The two countries reiterated their joint commitment to UN Security Council reform and mutual support for permanent and non-permanent memberships.

They also pledged cooperation on regional peace and security, particularly in West Africa.

Nigeria ‘took note’ of India’s invitation to join the Global Biofuel Alliance and Global Rivers Cities Alliance.

”As members of International Solar Alliance (ISA), both sides agreed to intensify their cooperation in establishing solar parks and to work towards increasing the share of the renewable energy in their energy portfolio,” the joint statement said.

President Tinubu had earlier on Sunday conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Indian Prime Minister Modi.

Speaking at the opening of bilateral and political talks between the two leaders, President Tinubu described the honour as a gesture of Nigeria’s appreciation and commitment to India as a worthy partner.

He praised India for “standing side by side” with Nigeria on many fronts and for many decades.

”It is our hope that this will spur renewed cooperation between Nigeria and India in all sectors and also ensure joint collaboration to maintain and strengthen our relations,’’ the Nigerian President said.

Prime Minister Modi was later decorated with the honour during a working lunch attended by members of the Nigerian and Indian delegations.

In his acceptance remarks, Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and the deep friendship between India and Nigeria.

”This honour will continue to inspire us to take the India-Nigeria strategic partnership to new heights.

”The relations between India and Nigeria are based on mutual cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.

”As two vibrant democracies and dynamic economies, we will continue to work for the benefit of our people,” Modi said.

The Indian Prime minister identified the social and cultural diversities of the two nations as sources of strength, while noting that Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Develop India 2047 share many common aspirations.

Recalling President Tinubu’s visit to India in September 2023, Modi said his state visit to Nigeria would further strengthen and expand the longstanding partnership between both countries.

With over 60,000 Indians residing in Nigeria, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality provided by the Nigerian government.

He described the Indian community in Nigeria as an important link between the two countries.

According to him: ”Nigeria has played a very important and positive role in Africa and for India, deepening our relations with Africa has been a very high priority.

”In all our efforts, we have always tried to work with friendly countries like Nigeria.

”As it is said in Africa, a friend is someone you share with. India and Nigeria will work together to advance the interests of our people and the African continent.

”Through close coordination and working together, we will advance the interests and priorities of the Global South”.

Earlier at the opening of bilateral and political discussions, President Tinubu commended the robust bilateral relations between Nigeria and India, citing high-level engagements, mutual support in multilateral platforms, and partnerships across various sectors.

”Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India and we hope to broaden and deepen the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries.

”You represent a very strong commitment in democratic values and norms. You have been doing a good job in three consecutive elections in a complex society. It is a feat that we respect so much.

”Your transformative leadership, working hard to transform the economy and place India on the top ladder of transformative form of governance is a good example of democratic values that we should continue to share, cherish and promote for the economic development of our people.

”Although your current visit is very short, I am sure you will notice that like India, Nigeria is unique in many ways but shares similarities with your great country in terms of diversity and development experience.

”These have become our sources of strength, unity as well as the visions we share for a greater and a better future for our countries and our people, ” he said.

During the visit, both leaders witnessed the exchange of signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on cultural exchange programmes, cooperation in customs matters and collaboration between Surveyor-Generals of India and Nigeria.

President Tinubu commended Prime Minister Modi for his favourable disposition towards a renewed vision of mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

Responding, Prime Minister Modi announced the dispatch of 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nigeria to support flood relief efforts.

He commended President Tinubu’s leadership, which he said has elevated Nigeria’s role on the global stage.

”I am very pleased that during India’s Presidency last year, Nigeria participated in the G20 Summit for the first time as a guest country,” he said.

He welcomed Nigeria’s recent recognition as a partner country in BRICS, and the African Union’s induction into the G20.

He described the feat as an achievement jointly celebrated by both nations.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Nigeria, emphasizing areas of collaboration such as defence, counter-terrorism, maritime security, technology and economic development.

”We accord a high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria. We have strong cooperation in several sectors.

”Our cooperation is very strong, and there are many new possibilities as well for us to take this cooperation forward, ” he said.

The two leaders expressed optimism that the outcomes of the visit would herald a new era in Nigeria-India relations.

Deji Elumoye

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