PM Modi's Nigeria Visit: What this Maiden Trip to Abuja Means for India

Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Nigeria, first stop in his five-day three-nation visit to strengn global relationships. PM Modi landed in Nigeria to an extremely warm welcome from local government and Indian diaspora. Re to know agenda of PM Modi's Nigeria visit and what this maiden trip to West African nation means for India…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nigeria 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria is historic as it is first by any Indian Prime Minister in last seventeen years. PM Modi is visiting Nigeria on invitation of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his statement, PM Modi has said that his visit to Nigeria will be an opportunity to strengn strategic ties between India-Nigeria as both nations share core beliefs of democracy and pluralism. Prime Minister also expressed his excitement and eagerness to interact with Indian community in West African nation and locals who sent him welcome messages in Hindi.

PM Modi Nigeria Visit: What's On Agenda

During his maiden visit to Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks to assess strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss furr avenues to enhance ties. BJP leer will also dress a garing of Indian diaspora in Nigeria. PM Modi will also be dressing Indian diaspora in Nigeria.

PM Modi Nigeria Visit: What it Means for India

India and Nigeria have been carrying forward ir strategic partnership since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. Over 200 Indian firms have invested over $27 billion in important sectors in African nation. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership.

MOUs Between India-Nigeria

India and Nigeria are expected to strengn ir strategic relationship and focus on key areas including defence, culture and education. leers of both nations are also expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas including audiovisual cooperation, culture, customs, digital public infrastructure and tritional medicine among ors.

Economic Relationship and Bilateral Tre

India is one of largest importers of Nigerian oil and this bilateral tre has strengned India's economic relationship with West African country. Investments in manufacturing and infrastructure have also been me by Indian companies and y are among largest employers in Nigeria. PM Modi's visit to nation is expected to boost tre, increase investments across sectors and strengn economic partnership between India-Nigeria. 

Education

Thousands of Nigerian students have been coming to India for ir higher education and Indian government also offers 500 scholarships annually, under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program. India has also extended support to Human Capital Development of Nigeria through technical and vocational training assistance programs among ors. This visit to Nigeria is furr expected to strengn thre of education between two nations.

Security Cooperation - Defence

Nigeria has been facing several security challenges including insurgency and terrorism threats; India has played an important role in safeguarding and supporting Nigeria in se tough times and situations. Discussions are being done to strategise and help Nigeria with military training, counter-terrorism strategies and establishment of important defence institutions including National Defence Acemy ( NDA ).

India-Nigeria Relations

India and Nigeria have h a long-standing relationship for last six deces as both nations and ir partnership stands on values of democracy, pluralism, and economic cooperation. In a special media briefing, Dammu Ravi, Secretary of Economic Relations said, "Both countries are multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-linguistic countries,” highlighting similarities in ir social and political landscapes which makes m more compatible.

PM Modi's two-day visit to Nigeria will pave way for a stronger strategic partnership between India-Nigeria, furr improving ties between two nations, that will go beyond just political interaction.