Nigeria and India have cemented their military cooperation, focusing on intelligence sharing, joint training, and bolstering Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity.
During a meeting in Abuja, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Muhammed Bello Matawalle, underscored this commitment in discussions with Mr. Anurag Bajpai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence India, and his delegation.
This alliance underscores Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing bilateral ties with India in the defence sector, as conveyed in a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized that the meeting marked a significant step in fostering a strategic partnership between Nigeria and India in the defence sector. He expressed profound pleasure in hosting the delegation, highlighting the collaborative effort’s importance for both countries’ mutual benefit.
“The defence cooperation between the two countries will strengthen the existing bond between the Nigerian and Indian governments and enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” he remarked.
Dr. Matawalle acknowledged Nigeria’s commitment to upgrading its military-industrial complex, citing the recently signed DICON bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a boost to joint defence cooperation. He assured the Indian government of expediting efforts to amend the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between the two countries.
The Minister emphasized Nigeria’s active participation in joint bilateral activities with India, noting significant achievements while highlighting potential areas for further development, especially in the security sector.
Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence Nigeria, expressed appreciation to the Indian government for the cordial relationship between both countries.
Earlier, Anurag Bajpai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence India, described Nigeria as a strategic partner to India in military-diplomatic ties and pledged to continue building on the existing relationship.
