Nigeria, India Deepen Ties As Consular, Economic Issues Take Centre Stage
Nigeria and India are looking to deepen their relationship beyond trade, with the welfare of Nigerians living in India emerging as a key issue in high-level bilateral talks in New Delhi.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the concerns of Nigerians affected by visa overstays during talks with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed for an extension of India’s existing amnesty arrangement, which would allow affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without facing penalties.
The ministers also discussed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, aimed at creating a framework for the orderly and humane transfer of eligible prisoners between the two countries.
Economic cooperation featured prominently, with both sides exploring ways to expand trade and investment and build stronger mutually beneficial partnerships.
Education and cultural exchanges were also identified as important areas for strengthening people-to-people relations.
The talks underline Nigeria’s broader effort to use its participation in BRICS to open new economic opportunities and strengthen South-South cooperation.
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