SECURITY: FG Deepens Defence Collaboration With Government Of India

Deji Adebayo, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has said that the Federal Government was willing to deepen Defence Collaboration with the Government of India.

The Minister stated this when he received the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Balasubramanian, in his Ship House office today, 18th October, 2023.

According to a press statement issued by Henshew Ogubike, mnipr, Director (Press & Public Relations) of the ministry, the Minister said that Nigeria and India has in records an excellent bilateral relations and there was a need to expand defence cooperation on military equipment and trainings between the two countries.

The Minister also said that there is a joint consultative meeting that will be holding between Nigeria and India on 30th November, 2023; adding that it would afford both countries opportunity to discuss and finalize on the proposed collaboration.

In his reaction, the India High Commissioner noted that there is an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nigeria on Defence cooperation and that the Government of India would further strengthen the relationship.

Balasubramanian said that India in cooperation with Nigerian Navy has successfully cooperated in fighting piracy at the Gulf of Guinea.