Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nigeria on Sunday at the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the first leg of his three-nation tour, where the President welcomed Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is the first time after 17 years that an Indian Prime Minister visits Nigeria.
A video of the conversation between the prime minister and the president of Nigeria also emerged, in which the heads of state of both countries are seen discussing at the meeting. Amid the discussion, both countries seem determined to advance their relations. Ahead of the talks, Prime Minister Modi was formally received at the Nigerian Presidential Villa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, where he was warmly received by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo, who presented the Prime Minister with the “Key to the Whistle” of Abuja. “This key is a symbol of the trust and respect extended to the Prime Minister by the people of Nigeria,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a late-night Twitter post.
#LOOK Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meet at the Presidential House in Abuja.
(Video: DD News) pic.twitter.com/3ERPKyYh6W
— AIN (@ANI) November 17, 2024
I met the Marathi community.
After arriving in Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Marathi community and shared photographs during the conversation. The Prime Minister expressed delight over the fact that the Marathi community in Nigeria has accorded it the status of a classical language. It’s really admirable how connected they are to their culture and roots. Marathi was also among the many languages that were granted classical status by the Union Cabinet last month.
Let us tell you that this is Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to the West African region. He is on a five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. From Nigeria he will go to Brazil.
“I’m looking forward to meeting my Nigerian friends”
In his exit statement, Modi said: “I also look forward to meeting the Indian community and friends of Nigeria, who have sent me warm messages of welcome in Hindi.”
Modi also said it would be an opportunity to “advance our strategic partnership that is based on a shared belief in democracy and pluralism.” It will participate in the XIX G-20 summit in Brazil as a member of the Troika. Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will be among the leaders attending the summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18-19. India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa.
In the third and final leg of his visit, Modi will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of President Mohammad Irfan Ali. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in more than 50 years.
