India-Nigeria Boost Defence Ties in New Delhi Meeting
The Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, met with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in New Delhi on August 12 to strengthen the defence ties between the two countries. The meeting aimed to explore ways to enhance cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and industry collaboration.
The meeting was significant, as it reiterates the long-standing partnership between India and Nigeria in the defence sector, which dates back to the 1960s. The partnership has been built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to promoting regional and global peace and security.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed a range of issues, including counter-terrorism, which has become a major concern for both India and Nigeria in recent years. India has been a victim of several terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, while Nigeria has been grappling with the Boko Haram insurgency. The two countries agreed to share intelligence and best practices to combat terrorism, and to enhance cooperation in this area.
Another area of focus was maritime security. Nigeria has a long coastline and is a major player in the Gulf of Guinea, which is a critical region for global energy trade. India has been working closely with Nigeria to enhance maritime security in the region, and the two countries agreed to continue this cooperation. India has been providing training and capacity-building assistance to Nigeria’s naval forces, and the two countries have also been working together to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Industry cooperation was another key area of discussion during the meeting. India and Nigeria have been exploring ways to collaborate in the defence industry, including joint research and development, production, and export of defence equipment and platforms. The two countries agreed to invite delegations to explore investment and collaboration opportunities in this area, which is expected to create new business opportunities and generate revenue for both countries.
The meeting was also significant, as it reflects the growing importance of the India-Nigeria defence partnership. In recent years, the partnership has grown rapidly, with India providing military assistance and training to Nigeria. India has also been supplying defence equipment to Nigeria, including naval vessels, aircraft, and small arms.
The partnership is also seen as a key component of India’s Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Nigeria. Nigeria is an important partner for India in West Africa, and the defence partnership is seen as a key way to promote regional stability and security.
The meeting between the two ministers was also significant, as it reflects the personal commitment of the leaders of both countries to strengthening the defence partnership. The Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has been a strong advocate of strengthening ties with Nigeria, and has been working closely with his Nigerian counterpart, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to achieve this goal.
In conclusion, the meeting between the Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in New Delhi on August 12 was a significant step forward in strengthening the defence ties between India and Nigeria. The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and industry collaboration, and reiterates the long-standing partnership between the two countries in the defence sector. The partnership is seen as a key component of India’s Act East Policy, and is expected to create new business opportunities and generate revenue for both countries.
Source:
https://www.refersms.com/india-nigeria-boost-defence-ties/
