Nigeria and India have pledged to deepen their collaboration across critical sectors such as food security, healthcare, defence and economic development.
The commitment was outlined in a joint statement released on Sunday in Abuja, following the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nigeria, which was arranged at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
At the Presidential Villa, the two leaders discussed a wide range of key issues, including intelligence sharing, maritime security, counterterrorism, and strengthening defense ties.
As part of their efforts to address growing threats in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria and India agreed to intensify their cooperation to protect maritime trade routes and combat piracy.
The leaders committed to frequent naval drills and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to secure vital shipping lanes.
Modi also reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s defense modernization, highlighting India’s emergence as a reliable defense manufacturer.
The leaders also underscored the strong economic ties between the two countries, with India being Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a significant contributor to its economy.
