Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has unveiled the key areas of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and India, with economic relations, consular issues, education and cultural exchanges topping discussions.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this during a bilateral meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
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The minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
A major issue raised by Odumegwu-Ojukwu was the welfare of Nigerians living in India, particularly those who have overstayed their visas.
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She appealed for an extension of the existing amnesty arrangement to allow affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without penalties.
The two ministers also discussed the proposed conclusion of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which would establish a framework for the orderly and humane transfer of eligible prisoners between the two countries.
On economic cooperation, the ministers explored ways to expand trade and investment and deepen mutually beneficial partnerships between Nigeria and India.
They also identified education and cultural exchanges as key areas for strengthening people-to-people relations and promoting greater understanding between citizens of both countries.
The meeting was part of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements at the BRICS summit, as the country seeks to use its participation to expand economic opportunities, strengthen bilateral relations and promote South-South cooperation.