Abuja, May 30 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Nigeria, interacted with the Indian diaspora, emphasizing India’s growing prominence on the global stage due to its expanding economy and progressive government initiatives.
Singh’s three-day visit to Nigeria marked the first-ever visit by an Indian defence minister to the African country. As a representative of India, he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday.
On the same day, Singh engaged with the Indian diaspora at an event organized by the Indian High Commission in Abuja, according to an official statement released on Tuesday. He highlighted the government’s focus on “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) and the significant advancements made in defence exports, aligning with the “Make in India, Make for the World” objective.
Singh underscored India’s growing importance on the world stage, attributed to its rapid economic expansion. The event was attended not only by members of the Indian community residing in Abuja but also from other Nigerian cities, including Lagos.
The Defence Minister expressed appreciation for the positive contributions made by the Indian community in Nigeria. Additionally, he had the opportunity to interact with senior Nigerian dignitaries, including the Chief Justice and Acting Minister of Defence, during a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner.
Nigeria is home to over 50,000 Indians, and Indian-owned/operated companies and businesses are among the largest employers in the country.
