PM Modi in Nigeria: Talks to focus on strengthening strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome from the Indian diaspora as he arrived in Nigeria to kick-start his three-nation trip on Sunday. This marked the prime minister’s first visit to the West African nation. He also became the first Indian PM to visit the country in 17 years.

Upon his arrival in the Nigerian capital Abuja, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome from Nigeria’s minister for federal capital territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who presented him with the symbolic “Key to the City” of Abuja.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared some new visuals of the prime minister’s arrival in the country and highlighted the significance of the visit. “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 symbolizes the trust and honour bestowed on the prime minister by the people of Nigeria,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a late-night post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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PM @narendramodi arrives in Abuja, Nigeria.

Warmly welcomed by Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @GovWike, who presented PM with the ‘Key to the City’ of Abuja.

The key symbolises the trust and honour bestowed on PM by the people of 🇳🇬. pic.twitter.com/9sX9IeGIEq

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 16, 2024

What’s on the agenda?

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and expressed hopes to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations. “Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations,” he wrote on X.

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. @officialABAT https://t.co/hlRiwj1XnV pic.twitter.com/iVW1Pr60Zi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 16, 2024

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister maintained that one of his primary agendas for the visit is “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,” he added.

From here, the Prime Minister will embark on his trip to Brazil where he will be attending the 19th edition of the G20 Summit as a Troika member. “Last year, India’s successful Presidency elevated the G-20 to people’s G-20 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its Agenda. This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders,” PM Modi wrote in his departure statement on Saturday.

From here, the prime minister will be travelling to Guyana, where he will take part in the second India-CARICOM Summit. “The Summit will enable us to renew historical ties and expand our cooperation into new domains,” PM Modi concluded.