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

Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the 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, the prime minister will take part in the G20 Summit. At the Abuja airport, Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed by Nigerian Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. The prime minister's Nigeria visit highlights the importance of strengthening ties between India and Nigeria. The members of the Indian diaspora in large numbers welcomed the prime minister at the airport and at the hotel in Abuja. PM Modi greeted the Indian community and interacted with them. In a tweet, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hoped that this visit would deepen the bilateral friendship between the two nations.During his visit to Nigeria, PM Modi will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further issues to strengthen their relationship. He will also likely meet the Indian community in Nigeria during his visit.The 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 the prime minister with the 'Key to the City' of Abuja. The key symbolises the trust and honour bestowed on the prime minister by the people of Nigeria." The MEA also shared pictures of the prime minister being welcomed to the country.PM Modi himself responded to a post on X by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying he looked forward to welcoming the Indian prime minister. "Our bilateral discussions will seek to expand the strategic partnership between both countries and enhance cooperation in critical sectors. Welcome to Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi," Tinubu further said in his post.Responding to the Nigerian president's post from his official handle on X, Prime Minister Modi shared pictures of himself deplaning upon his arrival and greeting the dignitaries and the people who had gathered at the airport. "Thank you, President Tinubu. Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations," he said in the post.This is PM Modi's first-ever visit to the 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, the prime minister said, "I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the 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 head to Brazil to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit as a member of the Troika. The prime minister aims to use this opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders.The trip will conclude with a historic state visit to Guyana, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than 50 years. PM Modi will also attend the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, where he will meet with leaders from the Caribbean nations.Earlier, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it 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.”

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

PM Narendra Modi arrived in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in 17 years.

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