By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Indian Government has reiterated her commitment to further enhance the existing 60 years of defence collaboration with Nigeria in order to expand both nations’ defence capabilities.
An official statement released to Enugu Reporters by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu averred that Ambassador Thakur stated his determination to facilitate closer ties between India and Nigeria in order to deepen the existing diplomatic and defence relations of the two nations, which he said was instituted in 1960.
According to Gen Nwachukwu, the Indian High Commissioner
to Nigeria, Ambassador Abhay Thakur while in an official visit today in Defence Headquarters stressed that his country remains committed towards the existing defence relations between both countries which he said involves capacity development training, acquisition of platforms and logistics support, as well as Research and Development (R&D).
Ambassador Thakur further disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of Long Range Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Detectors, signed by Indian and Nigerian Defence Research Bureaus will enhance both country’s defence architectures. He pointed out that aside defence collaboration, the Indian Government is ready to partner with Nigeria in other areas of national interest and development.
The Indian Ambassador expressed appreciation to the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Nigerian Navy for their active involvement in rescuing some Indian Nationals who were kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. He also extended invitation to members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to this year’s India Defence Expo.
Responding, the CDS, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, said the visit will strengthen the defence space of the two countries. He added that the diplomatic relations and the defence collaboration dates back to the early 60s, during which the Indian Government played a major role in the establishment of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which has become a cradle and a citadel of learning for producing and grooming officers for the AFN.
The Defence Chief lauded the ongoing India-Nigeria Defence Collaboration on the proposed long range IED Detectors, adding that it will give impetus to the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations.
