India, Nigeria to boost ties, discuss UN reforms (Lead)

March 15th, 2011 - 8:27 pm ICT by IANS  

Manmohan Singh New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) India and Nigeria, two non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, will Wednesday discuss UN reforms and hold wide-ranging talks to boost their economic and strategic ties.

This became known as Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia arrived here Tuesday afternoon on a three-day visit, during which he will discuss ways to expand trade and investment as well as key global issues.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will co-chair the fifth meeting of the India-Nigeria Joint Commission.

The fifth session of the joint commission is expected to review bilateral developments and chalk out strategies for facilitating future expansion of bilateral ties, the external affairs ministry said.

Its proceedings would be held through four specialised sub-committees to ensure in-depth and comprehensive discussions.

The situation in Libya is expected to figure in the talks.

Being non-permanent members of the Security Council, the two countries are expected to focus on the need for UN reforms.

They will also discuss the India-Africa Forum Summit to be held in Addis Ababa in May.

Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa as well as the biggest market for Indian goods in Africa.

Bilateral trade grew by over 50 percent in the first half of 2010-11 as compared to the corresponding period the previous year.

Trade is estimated to cross $12 billion in the current financial year. Indian investments in Nigeria are estimated at $5 billion.

The Nigerian minister will also meet Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Nigeria in October 2007.

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