Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India and Nigeria have been working today to deal with challenges of terrorism, drugs and piracy and emphasized that India accords high priority to its strategic partnership with Nigeria.
Holding a delegation-level talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, PM Modi said, “We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria. We have strong cooperation in several sectors like defence, energy, financial issues, technology, health, education and culture. Several new possibilities are attached to our relations.”
Expressing condolences over the loss of lives in the recent flood in Nigeria, he said, “On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I express my heartfelt condoles for the loss of lives in floods in Nigeria last month. India is sending 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to support the relief efforts.”
The Prime Minister further said, “his is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years and it is a matter of happiness for me that I have got the opportunity to come to Nigeria at the beginning of my third term.”
During the meeting, both leaders reviewed the strategic partnership between the two countries and discussed further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship.
Modi also received the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of Nigeria’s highest civilian honours.
This recognition makes him the second foreign dignitary to receive the honour, following Queen Elizabeth II, who was conferred the title in 1969.
The Prime Minister reached Abuja last night on a two-day visit to Nigeria, then he will travel to Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro and later in the evening on a two-day trip to attend the G20 Summit hosted by President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva.
