The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Abhay Thakur, has said that India was working closely with Nigeria to tackle insecurity by fighting terrorism and radicalisation.
Mr. Abhay Thakur, disclosed this during the celebration of the Indian’s 75th Independence Day in Abuja.
He said India would continue to support Nigeria’s security and defense agencies in tackling banditry and other related crimes.
According to the envoy, India and Nigeria have enjoyed years of friendship dating back since independence of both countries adding that both countries would sustain the friendship across all sectors.
“There are a number of counter-terrorism initiatives both in terms of security exchanges and capacity building.”
“Counter-terrorism is a key area of training for the Nigeria military.”
“We are also jointly developing an Improvised Explosive Device detector which will work at a standoff range of 15 metres.”
“There is just one example of joint defense research to counter-terrorism both sharing cyber terrorism.
“We have had very important visits of Nigeria’s defence and security establishments to India in the past two years.”
“All heads of agencies, all heads of security establishments have met. We are working together to tackle radicalism in all our discourse.
“India and Nigeria have really stood by each other both at the United Nations and in building bilateral relations,” according Thakur.
According to the High Commissioner, India is happy with the achievements it has recorded in the past 75 years.
He added that the time had come for stock-taking, to see what more it could achieve in the next 25 years when it would mark 100 years of independence..
“It is a very momentous occasion because it is the 75th Independence Day when we are commencing formally the year-long celebration of India at 75.
“And as the President of India has said in his speech, we should look at what we will do in the next 25 years and where we want to be; how do we progress to the 100th Anniversary in 2047.
“So it is a time for stock-taking, looking forward, celebrating, and also charting the way forward.
“It is an important day to renew our friendship with our Diasporas, with our friends across the world.
He said that India over the years had built great multilateral and bilateral relations with other countries and world bodies.
Mr. Thakur said India had a thriving trade relationship with Nigeria.
The envoy disclosed that India’s volume of bilateral trade with Nigeria has reached $14 billion in the first quarter of this year, representing about a 17 per cent increase from the same period in 2020.
Ime N
