President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Tuesday for New Delhi to participate in the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum which was established in 2008 as the official platform for the advancement of mutually-beneficial relations between India and African nations.
President Buhari, the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi and other participating Heads of State and Government at this year’s summit, which follows the 2nd Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011, will deliberate on issues of common concern to their countries such as climate change and international terrorism.
The leaders, according to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, are also expected to discuss additional measures aimed at boosting joint collaboration to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in Africa and India as well as further cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, and the eradication of hunger, disease and illiteracy.
President Buhari will be accompanied to New Delhi by the Governors of Kano and Delta States, the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Defence, Power, Communications Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Industry, Trade and Investment.
The President is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Mr. Modi and other senior Indian government officials on Wednesday, ahead of the opening of the summit on Thursday.
He will also meet with Chief Executive Officers of Indian companies with existing or prospective interests in Nigeria before returning to Abuja on Friday, October 30.