The Federal Government has expressed appreciation to the Republic of India for continued support and understanding towards surmounting security challenges bedeviling the Nigeria.
Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi expressed the appreciation during a technical meeting with the Indian scoping delegation to Nigeria, held at the Ship House, Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by Director, Joint Services Department, Mrs. Olu Mustapha, remarked that reflections on the Nigeria-India relations which started in 1958, prior to independence has remained fruitful and beneficial to the citizens and government of both countries.
The meeting which was convened to provide a clear understanding of India’s extended line of credit offered to Nigeria, was co-chaired by the Director, Joint Services Department, Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Olu Mustapha as Head of the Nigeria Delegation as well, was also co-chaired by India’s Military Adviser on National Security Council Secretariat, Lt. General Vinod Gulabroa Khandera, heading the Indian delegation.
Gen Magashi commended the Indian Government for graciously providing the Nigerian Navy with Credit Line Agreement for the acquisition of a training ship and for the procurement of a platform for Landing of Ship Tanks required by the Service.
“Deeper Defense Corporation is desired to effectively address common national and global security challenges such as terrorism and insurgency. May I therefore, reveal Nigeria’s desire for the transfer of technology whereby assembly plants for the production of military hardware and platforms are established in Nigeria with the anticipation that the Indian Government might consider being a catalyst for this vision” he added.
In his remark, the co-chair and head of the Indian delegation Lt.Gen. Vinod Gulabroa Khandera, said India is ready to explore relationship with Nigeria on transfer of technology, personnel training and procurement of military hardware.
Part of the Nigerian team are representatives of the Chief Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor as well as representatives of Chiefs of the Tri-Services and the representative of the Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, Kaduna.
Director of Army Department, Ministry of Defence, Mr. SM Attah and Director, Navy Affairs Department, Mr. Fashina Kayode, attended the meeting which highlighted the requirements of Tri-services and DICON on the translation of the Defence line of credit offered Nigeria by the government of India.
In February 2019, India had offered line of credit to Nigeria for the acquisition of critical military hardware and now awaits lists of requirements from the end users and these necessitated today’s meeting.
Kabir Isa Bala
For:Director Press and Public Relations
