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This visit is a clear signal: India is serious about its role in the Global South, and Nigeria is a crucial piece of that puzzle
PM Narendra Modi’s trip to Nigeria isn’t just a friendly visit, it’s a strategic power move, writes the author.
Since his first term in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Modi has been the biggest advocate for India-Africa relations. Under him, relations between the African nations and India have gone from strength to strength. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he becomes the first Prime Minister in 17 years to visit the proud West African nation of Nigeria.
Surely, one of the biggest reasons for India to advance these relations has been out of consideration of China’s outreach through their debt-trap diplomacy, but this is where India takes the lead as our relations with the continent go beyond the traditional economic approach. Our people-to-people relations, Indian diaspora, vaccine diplomacy during COVID, massive cultural outreach, and India’s investments into infrastructural development without having an ounce of colonial heritage have given us a huge advantage.
Moreover, the masterstroke played last year by Modi, during India’s presidency of the G20, to invite the African Union all, but sealed the deal. The invitation was gladly accepted and widely appreciated by a host of nations including Nigeria.
MODI IN NIGERIA
It is Modi’s first visit to West Africa and he’s kicking it off with Nigeria. It also comes ahead of his travels to Brazil for the G20, signifying the importance that India puts into its relationship with Nigeria. This is also a follow-up visit after Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and PM Modi’s meeting in India during the G20.
Nigeria is a large country, with the highest population in Africa (220 million) and a GDP ranked fourth, making it a major emerging market and an important partner on the continent. Notably, over 200 Indian companies have invested over USD 27 billion in Nigeria, making them the second-largest employers after the Nigerian government.
There are many topics of discussion and ways to expand the relationship. According to reports, investment opportunities for Indian companies in the mining, infrastructure and defence sectors in the African nation are very much on the cards.
There will be an exchange of memoranda of understanding, about five covering areas of culture, geological survey, digital public infrastructure, customs, traditional medicine, audiovisual cooperation, and so on.
These agreements will lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation in these vital sectors, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s growing need for technological and infrastructure advancements.
Another major part of the talks will be an expansion of trade by volume and goods. The current trade value, reaching almost $15 Billion, is heavily centred around oil.
The other traditional pillar of the relationship, and seeking an expansion on the discussion table, will be the country’s defence cooperation. As Nigeria grapples with security challenges, particularly terrorism and insurgency, India has provided valuable support. The two countries have engaged in “ongoing dialogue at the NSA [National Security Advisor] level” to strategise on counter-terrorism measures, especially in relation to Boko Haram. This collaboration also includes military training, with Indian officers assisting in the establishment of key defence institutions in Nigeria, including the National Defence Academy and the Naval War College.
The trip will also be following on the heels of an Indian defence industry delegation visit to Lagos earlier in the year when Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed interest in buying arms from India. India is emerging as a key defence supplier to Africa, with sales to Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
India and Nigeria have been working closely in the manufacturing sector and have expanded by signing agreements on several more sectors, like customs cooperation, cultural exchange programmes, survey cooperation etc. India and Nigeria have traditionally been working in various areas in the manufacturing sector and in the service sector as far as state and economic relations are concerned. Recently, the two nations were able to sign agreements on customs cooperation, cultural exchange programmes, survey cooperation, etc.
India has emerged as a development partner of Nigeria on two fronts — offering developmental assistance through concessional loans of $400 million, of which only $100 million has been used, and by offering capacity-building training programmes.
India has been supporting Nigeria’s efforts in capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Every year, India offers about 250 civilian and 250 defence training slots under ITEC/e-ITEC to Nigeria. Since the 1970s, about 27,500 Nigerians have benefited from ITEC.
Other parts of the relationship have been focusing on capacity building to expand the scope and build on the strong foundations. Both nations are also looking at the possibility of extending this relationship into new areas of technology-based solutions. Fintech, agriculture, mining, space, etc. would also be on the agenda.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
India opened its Diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria became independent in 1960. Political contacts at the highest level have been maintained for more than 60 years now.
Throughout the decades from the 1960s to the 1980s, teachers and doctors from India played a crucial role during the formative years of Nigeria. This extended to defence training as well, through the establishment of the National Defence Academy, Kaduna, and Naval War College, Port Harcourt, by Indian military officers.
The cultural relationships and connections are also good. There have been regular exchanges of troops, and people-to-people contact has been strong. India is a preferred destination for Nigerians for both education and medical treatment. Various scholarships are also made available to Nigerian 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 India. Many people go to India for their medical treatment. Overall, the relationship between our two countries has been based on a very strong footing.
A generation of Nigerians today in their forties to sixties have been taught by Indian teachers and treated by Indian doctors.
The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of about 60,000, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the importance of the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
India’s outreach in Africa is a part of its broader geopolitical goals:
- To curtail China’s influence
- To pursue its ambition of becoming the leader of the Global South.
And it’s not without its merit. Nations in the Global South, especially in Africa, relate to India’s colonial past, exploitation, and abject poverty and turmoil at the start of their independence. Even during the height of the Cold War, the Bandung conference was only comprised of Asian and African states.
In a nutshell, Modi’s trip to Nigeria isn’t just a friendly visit; it’s a strategic power move. It underscores India’s commitment to forging deeper ties with Africa, building on historical connections, shared experiences, and mutual benefits. By bolstering economic partnerships, strengthening defence cooperation, and fostering cultural exchange, India is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s future, all while offering an alternative to China’s often-criticised approach. This visit is a clear signal: India is serious about its role in the Global South, and Nigeria is a crucial piece of that puzzle. It’s a win-win, boosting both nations’ standing on the world stage and setting the scene for a stronger, more prosperous future together.
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November 17, 2024, 15:48 IST
News opinion Opinion | India And Africa In Modi Years: What The Nigeria Visit Means