Indian PM Modi Invites Tinubu To BRICS Summit In New Delhi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Bola Tinubu to attend the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.

The BRICS summit is scheduled to hold from September 12 to 13.

India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, confirmed the invitation while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

Singh said India expects Tinubu to attend the summit and lead a Nigerian delegation.

He explained that Nigeria’s participation is important because the country is Africa’s largest economy and one of the most populous countries in the world.

He added that Nigeria’s role as a BRICS partner could strengthen cooperation between the two countries and other members of the Global South.

“President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has been invited to the BRICS Summit, which is going to take place in New Delhi in a few weeks from now, and we are very hopeful that the honourable president of Nigeria will be leading a high-powered delegation for the BRICS Summit very soon,” Singh said.

“Why do we feel that Nigeria’s participation as a BRICS partner country is important? Because as Africa’s largest economy and one of the most populous nations in the world now, Nigeria as a partner country brings immense strategic importance.”

The envoy also highlighted the close relationship between Nigeria and India, saying both countries support each other on several international issues.

He noted that they also share ambitions for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.

According to him, about 60,000 Indians currently live in Nigeria, with some families having been in the country for two or three generations.

He said the Indian community has helped strengthen ties between the two countries in areas such as education, healthcare, culture and business.

Singh also disclosed that trade between Nigeria and India is nearing $10 billion. He said more than 200 Indian companies operate in Nigeria and employ close to 100,000 Nigerians.

He added that cooperation between both countries is growing in sectors including defence, energy, healthcare, agriculture and technology.

The high commissioner said Tinubu’s participation in the BRICS summit would provide another opportunity for Nigeria and India to deepen their relationship while promoting stronger cooperation among countries in the Global South.

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