President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hosted the Indian Minister of State, External and Parliamentary Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, recollecting his one-year training in the country as a military officer.
The Nigerian leader, who received the Indian minister in the State House Abuja, recalled his 1973 visit to India.
“it was a very good experience. I think I was a Lt Col. then, and I spent a year in India.
“We travelled and met people from different countries. It became part of my success story in the military.”
While buttressing the strong relationship between the two countries, Buhari said the Nigerian Defence Academy was established by Indians, and the two countries had firm relationship economically, politically, and in the area of security.
He added that Nigeria and India must continue to build on the longstanding relationship, to the benefit of both countries.
Muraleedharan, who is in Nigeria to take part in the Nigeria-India Business Council, described Nigeria as “centre of our engagement with Africa.”
He also said President Buhari was a “worthy alumnus of our Defence Services College.”
The minister said he brought greetings from the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, adding that Nigeria and India had robust relations in business, defense, education, and many other areas.
He said India as the largest democracy in the world was willing to partner with Nigeria towards successful general elections in 2023.
