India gives priority to Nigeria ties: Modi

NEW DELHI: India and Nigeria on Sunday agreed to work together to address the priorities and developmental aspirations of the Global South even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu discussed ways to enhance cooperation in defence, security and trade.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Modi, the first Indian premier to visit the West African country in 17 years, was honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, the nation's highest award for his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties. The two sides signed three agreements for cooperation in customs matters and surveys and cultural exchanges.

After a ceremonial welcome with a 21-gun salute, Modi held a restricted meeting with Tinubu that was followed by delegation-level talks. The two leaders agreed to work together to meet the developmental aspirations of the Global South and Modi appreciated Nigeria's role as chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its contribution to multilateral and bodies.

"We will together keep raising the priorities of the Global South on the world stage and there will be success through our joint efforts," Modi said in his televised opening remarks at the meeting.

"We have worked together to tackle challenges such as terrorism, separatism, piracy and drug trafficking and we will continue doing so with greater strength in the future," he said, speaking in Hindi.