By Victor Asije
Lagos – The visiting Indian Vice-President to Nigeria, Mr Hamid Ansari, on Wednesday disclosed his government’s readiness to expand its cooperation with Nigeria to new areas.
Ansari, who made the disclosure at a dinner, organised to receive him and his delegation by the High Commission of India in Nigeria, said Nigeria and India were long time allies.
The vice-president said that since his arrival on Monday, he been holding meetings with relevant government authorities on how best to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The last two days has been quite fulfilling for me, my wife and the members of my delegation.
“We are really beginning to see the importance of this visit. We have further been convinced that Nigeria and India’s decades of friendship would be stronger in the future.
“Nigeria and India therefore, must sit down together to determine our new areas of cooperation which we are very ready for with Nigeria.
“India is currently impressed with her friendship with Nigeria so far.
“We want new economic order with our beloved friend Nigeria. There is so much we can do better,’’ he said.
Ansari, who commended Indian companies in Nigeria, said there were currently 100 active Indian companies in the country, contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He said that the government was particularly happy with the performances of the companies and would soon increase the number of Indian companies in the country.
He urged the Indian Community in Lagos to continue to be good Ambassadors of their country in their host communities and to continue to see Nigerians as their friends.
“The vice-president, who is leading a high-powered delegation across Africa, will on Thursday deliver a lecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) before heading for other African countries.
(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)
