By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards fighting banditry, terrorism and other crimes, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has hosted the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs,
Shriv Nuraleedharam.
At the meeting, the Nigeria’s Minister demanded quick action towards implementing bilateral Military agreements between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of India.
General Magashi spoke during the courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The Defence Minister in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said time was of essence towards achieving the desired end “State in improved collaboration to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the areas of equipments in aid of the current fight against banditry, terrorism and piracy in the nation’s territorial waters.
“While appreciating the visit of the Indian powerful delegation, the Defence Minister placed on record the valued Military Capacity building programmes, Trainings and Intelligence sharing between the two countries and assured them that he will attend the forthcoming Defence Expo in India slated for October this year.”
The statement said the Indian Minister of State For External Affairs Shriv Muraleedharam, who led 8- man delegation on the courtesy call, thanked the Defence Minister for oiling the wheel of progress of the age-long Military bilateral partnership between the two countries, which he said dated back to 1958, two year before Nigeria’s independence.
The Leader of Indian delegation congratulated the Defence Minister for his three years in office and assured him of quick impact support to drive the mutual agreements between the two countries.