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Visit of Minister of State for External Affairs to Nigeria (June 11-13, 2019)

June 13, 2019

At the invitation extended by H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to attend the Democracy Day celebrations in Nigeria on 12 June 2019, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan visited Nigeria from 11-13 June 2019, as the representative of the Prime Minister of India. This was Shri V. Muraleedharan’s first visit abroad as Minister of State for External Affairs-a clear reflection of importance that India attaches to Africa as a whole and to bilateral relations with Nigeria.

2. Minister of State was welcomed by a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the airport in Abuja on arrival on 11 June. During the visit, Minister of State attended the ‘Democracy day’ celebrations at ‘Eagle Square’ Abuja on 12 June 2019, followed by a State luncheon in honour of visiting dignitaries, at which he had a brief exchange with President Buhari. Minister of State also attended a Gala dinner with visiting Heads of State, Heads of Government and other dignitaries on 11 June, hosted by the Government of Nigeria. Besides high level political representation from countries across the African continent, including several Heads of State, India was among the select non-African nations that were represented in the ‘Democracy Day’ celebrations of Nigeria at Ministerial level, reflecting the high priority and strength of our bilateral relations with Nigeria.

3. Minister of State called on the Vice President of Nigeria H.E. Mr. Yemi Osinbajo on 12 June and conveyed his congratulations on the first Democracy Day celebrations, as well as on the re-election of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo in the elections in Nigeria earlier this year. Both sides noted that relations between India and Nigeria are multi-faceted and strategic in nature, including in trade, investment and defence. Minister of State expressed the confidence that following the recent re-elections of Prime Minister Modi and President Buhari, our cooperation with Nigeria will further deepen and strengthen in the years ahead.

4. India is the largest democracy in the world and Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa. India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria globally and Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa, with their bilateral trade turnover of US$ 13.89 billion in 2018-19, an annual growth rate of 18.8%. Indian companies are among the largest investors in Nigeria and employ a large number of Nigerian nationals. In this context, useful discussions were held by Minister of State on further strengthening of our relations with Nigeria. Nigeria is home to an estimated 50000 members of the Indian community. In this context, Minister of State addressed over 200 members of the Indian community at a reception in Abuja and interacted with select Nigerian think tanks. He also met the Indian community in Lagos and visited the Ilupeju temple complex in Lagos on 13 June 2019.

5. On the sidelines of the Democracy day Celebrations, Minister of State interacted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Benin H.E. Mr. Aurélien Agbénonci and the President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou during which issues of mutual interest were discussed. Minister of State also held a meeting with the Assistant to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt for National and Strategic Projects and former Prime Minister H.E. Engr. Sherif Ismail. During the meeting, issues relating to developmental assistance projects, cultural exchanges and cooperation in the fields of security and counter terrorism were discussed.

New Delhi
June 13, 2019
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