Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has noted the requirement for Nigeria and India to work on existing security, political as well as economic ties between the two nations.
Speaking while playing host to the Indian Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, at the State House, Abuja, the President has focused that the two nations have a firm relationship economically, politically, and in the area of security.
To bolster the cordial ties between the two countries, Buhari said the Nigerian Defence Academy was established by Indians.
As per him, Nigeria and India must continue to build on the longstanding ties, to the benefit of both nations.
The President also went down memory lane during his one-year training in the country as a military officer.
The President recalled the 1973 visit, saying, “it was a very good experience. I think I was a lieutenant colonel back then, and I spent a year in India. We travelled and met international people from different countries. It became part of my success story in the military.”
Earlier during his speech, the Minister, who is in the nation to participate in the Nigeria-India Business Council meeting, has further explained Nigeria as the “centre of our engagement with Africa.”
He has further mentioned that Buhari was a “worthy alumnus of our Defence Services College.
Muraleedharan brought greetings from the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, adding that Nigeria and India have robust relations in business, defence, education, and many other areas.
He said India as the largest democracy in the world was willing to partner with Nigeria towards successful general elections in 2023.
