By Shile GIWA
Mr Abhay Thakur, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria says there is need to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and India, especially in renewable energy and other environmental issues.
Thakur, who was newly posted to Nigeria, made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Environment, Hassan Zarma in Abuja.
The High Commissioner said this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Saghir El-Muhammad.
He underscored the need for both countries to mutually-synergise and speak with one voice on global environmental issues at international fora.
Thakur assured that an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on renewable energy between the two countries would be signed soon.
The Indian envoy recalled that Nigeria and India had always enjoyed healthy and strategic cooperation with some Indian teachers and doctors even taking permanent residence in Nigeria in the past.
“It is very encouraging to note that the relationship between the two countries dates back to four generations with our doctors and teachers contributing their quota to Nigeria’s healthcare and education respectively.
“Nigeria is indeed a very hospitable country as most of them do not want to leave Nigeria,’’ the envoy said.
Thakur, therefore called for renewed corporation and collaboration between the two countries as Nigeria had the highest population in Africa and India with a staggering population of over 900 million is world’s third most populated nation.
Responding, Zarma re-affirmed the existing healthy bilateral relationship between Nigeria and India, stressing that the relationship had benefited the two countries in education, health care and economic development.
The minister described himself as a direct beneficiary of the relationship as he was taught by Indian teachers.
According to him, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has just ratified the International Solar Alliance and the President Muhammadu Buhari will soon append his signature.
“Nigeria is bedeviled with a lot of ecological challenges that require support and assistance from countries that had already tackled those challenges.
“We request for the support of your country to address some of our issues and concerns with bio-safety at the forefront of the challenges,” the minister said.===NAN
