President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria enjoys a steadily growing and economically rewarding relationship with Republic of India, describing the country as “Nigeria’s biggest trade partner’’.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said the president made this known when he received Letters of Credence from High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
President Buhari called for a closer and stronger partnership that will be mutually beneficial to the citizens of both countries.
“Our two countries are very close. India has helped Nigeria in many ways, and we are very grateful. In trade, you are, today, our biggest customer in crude oil purchase,’’ he said.
While recalling his experience at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India, in 1973, the President noted that Nigeria’s relationship with India had been long and upwardly rewarding for individuals, institutions and the country.
“I want you to maintain the standard we have attained, and improve on it,’’ President Buhari told the High Commissioner, who listed some areas of bilateral interest that deserved more attention.
Thakur said India would continue to stand with Nigeria “shoulder to shoulder in all areas of mutual interest, including security’’.
He assured the President that he would work hard on encouraging meetings that focused on reducing double taxation and attract more Foreign Direct Investments, actualize Nigerian airline, Air Peace’s dream of two weekly flights to Bombay and open up the visa regime more.
At the ceremony, President Buhari, who received Letters of Credence from Ambassador of Kuwait, Mr Abdulaziz Mohammad Al-Bisher, said Nigeria’s continuous support of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) policies, ”sometimes, discourages assistance from developed countries, with wrong assumptions that the country is rich”.
The President told Al-Bisher that Nigeria had been pigeonholed as an influential and wealthy member of OPEC, adding that the country would appreciate support in education, technology, infrastructure and projects that directly impact on livelihood of people.
“Welcome to Nigeria. Thank you for supporting our country in some strategic areas. We look forward to greater understanding and cooperation,’’ he said.
The Ambassador said Kuwait Project had 560 developmental interventions spread over many African countries, assuring that Nigeria, which had been left out since the project started in 1961 would be captured.
He said Kuwait Chamber of Commerce had agreed to meet with Nigeria’s business community.
According to him, his country also runs a charity that can be explored.
Also receiving Letters of Credence from High Commissioner of Republic of Namibia, Mr Humphrey Desmond Geiseb, President Buhari said the country had consistently and steadfastly supported Nigeria in all international meetings, “bringing respect and comfort’’.
The Namibian Ambassador said his country remained grateful to the Nigerian government and citizens for the support to achieve its independence, promising to improve relations in trade and exchange of people and ideas.
