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Details Of Discussions Between Tinubu, Indian Prime Minister Emerges

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2 hours ago

Nov 17, 2024.

The Nigerian presidency disclosed on Sunday that Nigeria and India have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, particularly in the areas of economic growth, defense, health, and security.

This announcement followed bilateral talks between President Bola Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that during their discussions, the two leaders committed to strengthening collaboration in critical areas such as counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.

The presidency noted that Tinubu’s visit to India in 2023 had already begun to yield tangible outcomes.

The visit was marked by a formal welcome for Prime Minister Modi, including a 21-gun salute, before the leaders engaged in one-on-one talks.

They later jointly presided over expanded bilateral discussions aimed at improving their countries’ cooperation.

With rising threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, the leaders agreed on coordinated efforts to safeguard maritime trade routes and address piracy.

Both countries committed to continuing regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to protect vital maritime corridors.

The leaders expressed strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, calling for urgent progress on the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the UN framework. They also discussed strategies to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, emphasizing the importance of addressing terrorist financing and safe havens.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s readiness to assist Nigeria in its defense modernization, highlighting India’s role as a reliable defense manufacturer.

The two leaders also celebrated the strong economic ties between India and Nigeria, with India serving as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major contributor to its economy.

Nigeria acknowledged the positive impact of over 200 Indian companies operating within its borders, which have created jobs and spurred investment.

On trade, the leaders instructed their officials to finalize key agreements, including the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA), the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to further enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made on investments promised by Indian companies following President Tinubu’s visit to India in 2023.

Notably, during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023, Indian investors pledged over $14 billion in investments targeting sectors such as industrialization, energy, telecommunications, and defense.

Regarding infrastructure development, India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s priorities through concessional lines of credit and technical expertise.

In the energy sector, Nigeria and India agreed on long-term contracts for crude oil and LNG supplies, as well as technical support in pipeline transmission security, CNG conversion, and LPG bottling distribution.

The leaders also explored potential areas for broader collaboration, including food security, agriculture, health, education, and cultural exchanges.

This renewed partnership marks a significant step toward cementing a long-lasting relationship between the two nations across several key sectors.