PM Modi Arrives in Abuja; Large Gathering of Indian Diaspora Warmly Welcomes Him at Airport

Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abuja, capital city of Nigeria, marking first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to West African nation in 17 years. PM Modi's three-nation tour, scheduled from November 16 to 21, also includes a visit to Brazil and Guyana. In Brazil, prime minister will take part in G20 Summit. 

At Abuja airport, Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed by Nigerian Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. prime minister's Nigeria visit highlights importance of strengning ties between India and Nigeria. 

members of Indian diaspora in large numbers welcomed prime minister at airport and at hotel in Abuja. PM Modi greeted Indian community and interacted with m. 

In a tweet, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for warm welcome and hoped that this visit would deepen bilateral friendship between two nations.

During his visit to Nigeria, PM Modi will hold talks to review strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss furr issues to strengn ir relationship. He will also likely meet Indian community in Nigeria during his visit.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a late-night post on X, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abuja, Nigeria. Warmly welcomed by Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who presented prime minister with 'Key to City' of Abuja. key symbolises trust and honour bestowed on prime minister by people of Nigeria." MEA also shared pictures of prime minister being welcomed to country.

PM Modi himself responded to a post on X by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying he looked forward to welcoming Indian prime minister. "Our bilateral discussions will seek to expand strategic partnership between both countries and enhance cooperation in critical sectors. Welcome to Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi," Tinubu furr said in his post.

Responding to Nigerian president's post from his official handle on X, Prime Minister Modi shared pictures of himself deplaning upon his arrival and greeting dignitaries and people who h gared at airport. "Thank you, President Tinubu. Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for warm welcome. May this visit deepen bilateral friendship between our nations," he said in post.

This is PM Modi's first-ever visit to West African Region. He is on a five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. From Nigeria, he will travel to Brazil.

In his departure statement, prime minister said, "I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi." He also said it would be an opportunity to "build upon our strategic partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism".

Notably, after concluding his visit to Nigeria, PM Modi will he to Brazil to attend G20 Leers' Summit as a member of Troika. prime minister aims to use this opportunity to exchange views on furring bilateral cooperation with several or leers.

trip will conclude with a historic state visit to Guyana, first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than 50 years. PM Modi will also attend 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, where he will meet with leers from Caribbean nations.

Earlier, PM Modi said, “At invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in 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 Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi.”