Since his first term in 2014, Bharatiya Prime Minister Modi has been the largest advocate for Bharat-African relations. Under him, the Indo-African relationship gained strength. Therefore, it is no shock that he became the first Prime Minister in 17 years to visit the West African country of Nigeria.
Surely, one of the main motives for Bharat to improve these ties has been out of consideration of China’s outreach via their debt-trap diplomacy, however, Bharat takes the lead by going beyond the common monetary approach. Our people-to-people relations, Bharatiya diaspora, vaccine diplomacy during COVID-19, cultural outreach, and Bharat’s investments in infrastructural improvement have given us a massive advantage. Moreover, the masterstroke performed by Modi by inviting the African Union through Bharat’s presidency of the G20 sealed the deal.
It is Modi’s first trip to West Africa and he’s starting it off with Nigeria. It additionally comes before his travels to Brazil for the G20, signifying the significance that Bharat places on its relationship with Nigeria. This is a follow-up trip to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and PM Modi’s meeting in Bharat in the course of the G20.
Nigeria is a massive country, with one of the largest populace in Africa (220 million) and a GDP ranked fourth, making it a principal rising market and an essential accomplice on the continent. Notably, over 200 Bharatiya groups have invested over USD 27 billion in Nigeria, making them the second-largest employers after the Nigerian government.
There are many subjects of dialogue and methods to make the relationship stronger. According to reports, funding possibilities by Bharatiya agencies in the mining, infrastructure, and protection sectors in the African kingdom are very much on the cards.
There will be a change of memoranda of understanding, about 5 protecting areas of culture, geological survey, digital public infrastructure, customs, common medicine, audiovisual cooperation, and so on. These agreements will lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation in these essential sectors, in particular in the context of Nigeria’s need for technological and infrastructure advancements.
Defence is one of the areas where the two countries hope to collaborate. As Nigeria grapples with security challenges, in particular terrorism and insurgency, Bharat has assured support. The two nations have engaged in “ongoing communication at the NSA [National Security Advisor] level” to strategize on counter-terrorism measures, specifically about Boko Haram. This collaboration additionally consists of army training, with Bharatiya officers helping in the institution of key defence establishments in Nigeria, which includes the National Defence Academy and the Naval War College.
The outing will additionally be following on the heels of a Bharatiya defence delegation going to Lagos earlier Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed their desire to seek help from Bharat. Bharat is rising as a key defence partner in Africa, with partnership deals with Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
Bharat and Nigeria have been working together in the manufacturing sector and have signed agreements in several other sectors, like customs cooperation, cultural programs, survey cooperation, etc. Bharat and Nigeria have historically been working in a variety of areas including the manufacturing sector and recently, the two countries have signed agreements on customs cooperation, cultural change programs, survey cooperation, etc.
Bharat has emerged as an ally of Nigeria on two fronts presenting developmental support through concessional loans of $400 million, of which only $100 million has been used, and through providing capacity-building coaching programmes.
Bharat has been assisting Nigeria’s efforts in the technological field under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) software. Bharat provides about 250 civilian and 250 protection education slots in ITEC/e-ITEC to Nigeria. Since the 1970s, about 27,500 Nigerians have benefited from ITEC.
Other areas of partnership have been focusing on potential construction to extend the scope and build on robust foundations. Both countries are additionally searching for the opportunity to extend this relationship into new areas of technology-based solutions. Fintech, agriculture, mining, space, etc. would additionally be on the agenda.
Bharat opened its Diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years earlier than Nigeria grew to become unbiased in 1960. Political contacts at the perfect stage have been maintained for more than 60 years now.
Throughout a long time from the 1960s to the 1980s, instructors and medical doctors from Bharat played an important role all through the formative years of Nigeria. This partnership included coaching as well, through the institution of the National Defence Academy, Kaduna, and Naval War College, Port Harcourt, using Bharatiya army officers.
The cultural relationships and connections are also good. There have been normal exchanges of troops, and people-to-people contact has been strong. Bharat is a favoured destination for Nigerians for vacations as well as for training and treatment. Various scholarships are additionally made accessible to Nigerian college students under the India-Africa Forum Summit, ICCR, CV Raman Hindi scholarship, e-Vidya Bharati e-Arogya Bharati (eVBAB), etc. More than 5,000 Nigerians are studying in Bharat. Many Nigerians come to Bharat for their medical treatment. Overall, the relationship between our two nations has been primarily based on a very sturdy footing.
The technology of Nigerians these days in their forties to sixties has been taught with the aid of Bharatiya instructors and dealt with by way of Indian doctors. The presence of a huge Bharatiya expatriate neighbourhood of about 60,000, the biggest in West Africa, stands testimony to the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Bharat’s outreach in Africa is a step toward its larger geopolitical objectives, which include limiting China’s influence and pursuing its aspiration to become the leader of the Global South. Nations in the Global South, particularly in Africa, relate to Bharat’s colonial past, exploitation, and abject poverty and turmoil at the beginning of their independence. Even throughout the peak of the Cold War, the Bandung convention used to be solely comprised of Asian and African countries.
In a nutshell, Modi’s time out to Nigeria isn’t simply a friendly visit; it’s a strategic move. It underscores Bharat’s dedication to forging deeper ties with Africa, constructing historic connections, shared experiences, and mutual benefits. By bolstering monetary partnerships, strengthening protection cooperation, and fostering cultural exchange, Bharat is positioning itself as a key participant in Africa’s future, all whilst presenting itself as an alternative China.
This is a clear signal: Bharat is serious about its function in the Global South, and Nigeria is an essential piece of that puzzle. It’s a win-win, boosting each nation’s standing on the world stage and laying the foundation for a stronger future together.
