Nigeria and India are exploring ways to strengthen the strong and cordial bilateral relations between both countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama made the disclosure on Monday when he received India’s Minister of State of External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan.
Muraleedharan is in Nigeria to attend the inauguration of the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC), NAN reports.
Onyeama said Nigeria was seeking to draw from India’s knowledge in the areas of Information Communication and Technology.
He noted that India is one of the largest investors in Nigeria and one of the largest markets for Nigerian crude.
The minister confirmed collaboration on defence and security, business and cultural cooperation, power and energy, among others.
Onyeama recognised India as the main intitator in the framework of the conference of the parties on climate change of the solar alliance and on renewable energy.
The official added that it is an area Africa’s most populous nation is trying to key into and benefit from.
“On Defence cooperation, there is a joint initiative with some of our Defence institutions on the development of detection of Improvised Explosive Devices which we are working on.
“Of course, that will be an important addition to the armoury of our security forces”, he added.
Muraleedharan said India and Nigeria share excellent relationship at the bilateral level and that the meeting discussed on trade, consular issues, education, etc.
The minister expressed confidence that the NIBC would improve the bilateral trade andinvestment in various sectors.
Muraleedharan announced his country’s readiness ready to provide soft credit to Nigeria to build solar power plants.
“On Power, Nigeria is part of the International Solar which is the global alliance to ensure that sustainable power is there across the world”, he noted.