Nigeria and India are looking forward to strengthen the strong and cordial bilateral relations between both countries which Onyeama noted dates back to 1958, two years before Nigeria got Independence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama stated this on Monday in Abuja when he received India’s Minister of State of External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan.
Muraleedharan is in Nigeria to attend the inauguration of the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC).
According to Onyeama, Nigeria was seeking to draw from India’s knowledge in the areas of Information Communication and Technology where he noted that India is a world leader.
He further stated that India is one of the largest investors in Nigeria and one of the largest markets for Nigerian crude, destinations for Nigeria’s students as well as medical tourism. Onyeama also said that the India community in Nigeria is one of the largest and most vibrant.
The minister confirmed collaboration on defence and security, business and cultural cooperation, power and energy, among others and noted that Nigeria looks forward to strengthen this. On cultural cooperation, the minister seek stronger collaboration between nollywood film industry in Nigeria and Bollywood film industry in India.
Onyeama recognised India as the main intitator in the framework of the conference of the parties on climate change of the solar alliance and on renewable energy. He also reiterated Nigeria’s desire to key into India expertise on solar energy.
“On Defence cooperation, there is a joint initiative with some of our Defence institutions on the development of detection of Improvised Explosive Devices which we are working on.
“Of course, that will be an important addition to the armoury of our security forces”, he added. He Minister placed on record the valued military capacity training programmes and intelligence sharing between the two countries and noted that some top brass of the Nigeria military had their military training in India.
Muraleedharan said India and Nigeria share excellent relationship at the bilateral level and that the meeting discussed on trade, consular issues, education, etc.
The minister expressed confidence that the NIBC would improve the bilateral trade andinvestment in various sectors.
Muraleedharan announced his country’s readiness ready to provide soft credit to Nigeria to build solar power plants.
“On Power, Nigeria is part of the International Solar which is the global alliance to ensure that sustainable power is there across the world”, he noted.
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