President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday conferred Nigeria’s second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is just as Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership, pledging to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security.
This is contained in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
Shortly after the Indian Prime Minister received a formal welcome, including a 21-artillery gun salute at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi went into a tete-a-tete, and later jointly presided over an expanded bilateral and political talks.
During their bilateral discussion, the two leaders agreed to a greater collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.
With growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, they also agreed to coordinated actions to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy.
The two countries pledged to continue regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard critical maritime routes.
”The leaders reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing networks and safe havens.
”They called for zero tolerance to terrorism and expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism in the UN Framework as well as implementation of the UNGA and the UNSC resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism.
”It was agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of counter terrorism,” the joint statement said.
Speaking at the opening of bilateral and political talks between the two leaders, President Tinubu described the honour as a gesture of Nigeria’s appreciation and commitment to India as a worthy partner.
He praised India for “standing side by side” with Nigeria on many fronts and for many decades.
”It is our hope that this will spur renewed cooperation between Nigeria and India in all sectors and also ensure joint collaboration to maintain and strengthen our relations,’’ the Nigerian leader said.
Prime Minister Modi was later decorated with the honour during a working lunch attended by members of the Nigerian and Indian delegations.
In his acceptance remarks, Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and the deep friendship between India and Nigeria.
”This honour will continue to inspire us to take the India-Nigeria strategic partnership to new heights.
”The relations between India and Nigeria are based on mutual cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.
”As two vibrant democracies and dynamic economies, we will continue to work for the benefit of our people,” Modi said.
The Indian Prime minister identified the social and cultural diversities of the two nations as sources of strength, while noting that Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Develop India 2047 share many common aspirations.
Recalling President Tinubu’s visit to India in September 2023, Modi said his state visit to Nigeria would further strengthen and expand the longstanding partnership between both countries.
With over 60,000 Indians residing in Nigeria, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality provided by the Nigerian government.
He described the Indian community in Nigeria as an important link between the two countries.
”Nigeria has played a very important and positive role in Africa and for India, deepening our relations with Africa has been a very high priority.
”In all our efforts, we have always tried to work with friendly countries like Nigeria.
”As it is said in Africa, a friend is someone you share with. India and Nigeria will work together to advance the interests of our people and the African continent.
”Through close coordination and working together, we will advance the interests and priorities of the Global South,” he said.
Earlier at the opening of bilateral and political discussions, President Tinubu commended the robust bilateral relations between Nigeria and India, citing high-level engagements, mutual support in multilateral platforms, and partnerships across various sectors.
”Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India and we hope to broaden and deepen the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries.
”You represent a very strong commitment in democratic values and norms. You have been doing a good job in three consecutive elections in a complex society. It is a feat that we respect so much.
”Your transformative leadership, working hard to transform the economy and place India on the top ladder of transformative form of governance is a good example of democratic values that we should continue to share, cherish and promote for the economic development of our people.
”Although your current visit is very short, I am sure you will notice that like India, Nigeria is unique in many ways but shares similarities with your great country in terms of diversity and development experience.
”These have become our sources of strength, unity as well as the visions we share for a greater and a better future for our countries and our people, ” he said.
During the visit, both leaders witnessed the exchange of signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on cultural exchange programmes, cooperation in customs matters and collaboration between Surveyor-Generals of India and Nigeria.
President Tinubu commended Prime Minister Modi for his favourable disposition towards a renewed vision of mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
Responding, Prime Minister Modi announced the dispatch of 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nigeria to support flood relief efforts.
He commended President Tinubu’s leadership, which he said has elevated Nigeria’s role on the global stage.
”I am very pleased that during India’s Presidency last year, Nigeria participated in the G20 Summit for the first time as a guest country,” he said.
He welcomed Nigeria’s recent recognition as a partner country in BRICS, and the African Union’s induction into the G20.
He described the feat as an achievement jointly celebrated by both nations.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Nigeria, emphasizing areas of collaboration such as defence, counter-terrorism, maritime security, technology and economic development.
”We accord a high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria. We have strong cooperation in several sectors.
”Our cooperation is very strong, and there are many new possibilities as well for us to take this cooperation forward, ” he said.
The two leaders expressed optimism that the outcomes of this visit would herald a new era in Nigeria-India relations.