Tinubu Hosts Indian PM Modi At State House

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu is about now hosting the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the State House, Abuja. 

Modi, who arrived Abuja Saturday evening, was received at the State House Forecourt by President Tinubu at about 10:20 am Sunday.

The Indian PM was welcomed with the Indian Anthem, after which a Guard of Honour, mounted by the Brigade of Guards, rendered the Nigerian Anthem and led the visiting leader on inspection of the mounted parade. 

A 21-gun salute followed the inspection of the mounted Guard of Honour. 

While together, the two leaders are expected to lead a number of bilateral activities, including a restricted meeting, some delegation-level talks, as well as exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoU). 

A release issued Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had said both leaders would be seeking to strengthen the Nigerian-Indian ties during the visit. 

According to the statement, “President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will seek to strengthen Nigeria’s and India’s ties further during their bilateral discussions. 

“Both leaders will exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in critical sectors.”

Modi’s visit to Nigeria will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Dr Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, when the two nations established a strategic partnership.