Nigeria and India have renewed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with trade, consular affairs, education and cultural cooperation taking centre stage during talks between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to discuss areas of mutual interest and ways to strengthen cooperation between both countries.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, said the welfare of Nigerians living in India was a major issue discussed at the meeting.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu particularly appealed for an extension of the existing amnesty programme for Nigerians who had overstayed their visas, to allow them return to Nigeria voluntarily without penalties.
The ministers also considered the possibility of signing a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, aimed at establishing a framework for the humane and orderly transfer of eligible prisoners between the two countries.
On trade and investment, both sides explored measures to expand economic cooperation and create more mutually beneficial opportunities for Nigeria and India.
Education and cultural exchanges were also highlighted as key areas for strengthening people-to-people relations and promoting greater understanding between citizens of both countries.
The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to use its participation in BRICS to strengthen bilateral partnerships, attract economic opportunities and advance South-South cooperation.