Abuja: Nigeria and India have pledged to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the West African nation. This marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Nigeria in 17 years, following an invitation from President Bola Tinubu, who is courting investments from global economic powers.

Modi arrived in Abuja on Saturday night and held discussions with Tinubu at the presidential villa on Sunday. Their talks encompassed key areas such as economic development, defense, healthcare, and food security, as highlighted in a joint statement.

Amid rising threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, both nations agreed to collaborate on securing maritime trade routes and combating piracy. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is also seeking increased Indian investments and access to affordable credit to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Last year, during the G20 summit, Nigeria announced it had attracted nearly $14 billion in investment commitments from Indian companies, including a $3 billion pledge from Jindal Steel and Power to bolster Nigeria's steel industry. Currently, over 200 Indian firms operate in Nigeria, underscoring the deep economic ties between the two nations.

Following his visit to Nigeria, Modi is scheduled to travel to Brazil to participate in this year’s G20 summit.