Buhari reiterates commitment to strengthen ties with India
By Ukpono Ukpong
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria and India must continue to build on the longstanding relationship, to the benefit of both countries.
The President stated this when he hosted the Indian Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs at State House, Abuja.
Furthermore, President Buhari went down memory lane while on a one-year training in India as a military officer.
The President recalled the 1973 visit, saying; “it was a very good experience. I think I was a Lt Colonel then, and I spent a year in India. We traveled and met international people from different countries. It became part of my success story in the military.”
To buttress the strong relationship between the two countries, President Buhari said the Nigerian Defence Academy was established by Indians, and the two countries have firm relationship economically, politically, and in the area of security.
The Minister, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, who is in Nigeria to take part in the Nigeria-India Business Council, described Nigeria as “centre of our engagement with Africa.”
He also said President Buhari was a “worthy alumnus of our Defence Services College.”
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Muraleedharan brought greetings from the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, adding that Nigeria and India have robust relations in business, defense, 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.
