India has called on all countries of the world to make conscious steps to propagate global agenda to achieve equality and sustainable development.
India’s Minister of External affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishanker made the call at a Lecture and Interactive session organised by the Nigerian Institute of international Affairs, in Lagos state, Southwest Nigeria .
India’s Minister of External affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishanker emphasised the need for all countries to collaborate to achieve development for all.
‘Whether we speak about domestic policies at home or we debating international relations abroad, the simple principle that must guide governance, global conversation and debate is the conviction that no one should be left behind, when we speak about no one being left behind, I think the welfare of Africa is particularly important , infact I will say the rise of Africa is even more crucial ‘
“if we speak about a more balanced world , a more democratic world , democracy is not just political democracy, it is not just the rights of the free nations , democracy also means every region , sometimes every large country must have within its own grasp the basics of its production so that it is economically and socially secured’.
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishanker emphasised the need for collaboration among countries to re-set global agenda for equality and inclusivity.
In a welcome address, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghoe highlighted the importance of India to Nigeria.
“It’s a pleasure today to play host to the honourable minister of external affairs, of India, a country we share so much in common with, we are delighted as a country to be hosting the honourable minister because this was perhaps the first point of call India had even before Nigeria became independent, and so , it is an exciting time to be here …
“and what greater time than now to see that the world itself is at several reflection points and that the global south is emerging with it’s great prominence and powers and under the able leadership of several great countries like India and Nigeria, we are resetting the global agenda.”
He expressed optimism of the importance of Nigeria/ India relations as prerequisite for enhancing extended cooperations on many fronts
The Topic of the Lecture and Interactive Session was ‘Resetting Global Agenda: Role of India and the Global South.”
It may interest you to know, that India and Nigeria have enjoyed warm, friendly, and deep-rooted bilateral relations over the years. India established its Diplomatic House in Lagos in November 1958, two years before Nigeria gained its independence on October 1st, 1960.
The presence of a large Indian expatriate community of about fifty thousand, the largest in West Africa, adds value to the importance of the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and India.
