 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the G20 summit. Image courtesy X")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart his three-nation tour on November 16. In the course of five days, he is set to visit Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana.
The Indian leader will begin his international tour by travelling to Nigeria first. This will be a significant visit as it is the first time in 17 years that an Indian prime minister will be going to Nigeria.
During his visit, Modi is due to meet Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The two leaders will commemorate India and Nigeria’s strategic alliance that was established almost a decade ago.
Symbolising a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, here are five key aspects of the India-Nigeria relationship:
Historical diplomatic roots
Nigeria and India share a long-standing cordial and friendly bilateral relationship. Both Nigeria, home to more than 190 million people, and India, home to 1.4 billion people, are multilingual, multiethnic and multi-religious communities.
The two nations are also joined by their respective fights against colonialism, and racial discrimination. Both secured their independence through long struggles for freedom and self-determination. Both nations have voiced for the rights of the Global South with a push for multilateral leadership in organisations such as the United Nations, G77 and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Bilateral visits
The two nations and their leaders developed a friendship, mutual respect, and goodwill with each other since the days of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic visit to Nigeria in September 1962. His meeting with Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, set the tone for a long-enduring bilateral relationship.
Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria travelled to India as chief guests for the country’s Republic Day celebrations in 1983 and 2000.
Trade and economic engagements
Nigeria is India’s one of the top suppliers of crude oil, and the two countries have strong trading ties. Furthermore, Indian businesses operate in Nigeria, making contributions to industries including healthcare, telecom and manufacturing.
Air connectivity and economic integration
Nigeria’s Air Peace began operating direct flights between Lagos and Mumbai as a result of the two countries’ bilateral air services agreement. This project promotes economic integration and improves connectivity.
This relationship strengthens Nigeria’s aviation sector and establishes the country as a crucial hub for international travel. By promoting ancillary businesses like goods transportation and hospitality, the additional traffic can boost economic growth.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsStrategic alliance in technology and education
India’s success in ICT (Information and communication technology) development and digital infrastructure serves as a model for Nigeria. Sharing technological know-how and innovative techniques is one aspect of collaborative efforts that can enhance Nigeria’s digital economy and government. There are now more than 130 Indian companies that are active in Nigeria.
The increasing bond between India and Nigeria symbolises the ever-increasing bilateral relationship between the two nations associated with mutual economic interest, strategic partnership and cultural exchange.
The partnership has the potential to grow further, especially with both nations having a vital hold in regional and global matters — especially at platforms such as G20 and through economic pacts.