India is emerging as an important defense supplier for Africa, understand the importance of PM Modi’s visit to Nigeria

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a tour of Nigeria. PM’s visit to Nigeria is expected to strengthen defense ties between India and the most populous African country. People associated with the case gave this information. An important partnership is expected between the two countries in the defense sector. Nigeria is interested in partnership in areas such as small arms, ammunition and armored vehicles.

Army training to Nigeria for many years

People close to the matter say the visit follows the visit of a defense industry delegation to Lagos earlier this year. In this, trade opportunities were explored following the Nigerian President’s interest in purchasing arms from India. Nigeria’s military leadership has been trained in India for decades. The two sides have built close defense ties in recent years.
Prime Minister Modi said in a statement before leaving for Nigeria on Saturday that at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria. Nigeria is our close partner in the West African region. PM Modi said that my visit will be an opportunity to take forward our strategic partnership which is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism.

India is becoming a major defense supplier

The Prime Minister said that there is hope for meaningful talks in the G-20. The visit comes at a time when India is emerging as a major defense supplier to Africa with defense supplies to Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania and Mozambique. Government company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has offered its indigenous Prachanda Attack Light Combat Helicopter to Nigeria.

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Apart from HAL, the huge delegation to Nigeria included leading defense public sector companies and private companies. These included Bharat Electronics, Bharat Earth Movers, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Goa Shipyard, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India, L&T, Bharat Forge and MKU Limited.

Focus on increasing defense partnership

The team highlighted India’s commitment to exploring new avenues of partnership with Nigeria and enhancing defense cooperation. The two countries have strengthened their naval cooperation, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, an area important for maintaining international trade routes. Indian Naval Ship Sumedha made a port call in Lagos in October 2023 to enhance maritime security and combat piracy. During the visit, representatives from both maritime agencies participated in training activities, professional interactions and planning conferences to improve interoperability.

Maritime security cooperation between the two countries

Naval cooperation between the two sides includes joint exercises, information sharing and maritime partnership exercises aimed at ensuring the security of maritime trade routes in the region. This partnership underlines the shared commitment of India and Nigeria to enhance maritime security and support each other’s naval capabilities, as mentioned earlier. Military training exchanges and collaborative initiatives are also underway under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.