Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari arrives in New Delhi for India-Africa Forum
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in India to attend the third India-Africa Forum Summit, which is taking place in New Delhi between 26 and 29 October. Buhari will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other African and Indian officials.
Among other things, Buhari will discuss terrorism, climate change and poverty alleviation, according to a statement by Buhari's spokesperson Femi Adesina. The president is also scheduled to meet business executives of companies interested in investing in Nigeria.
"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 statement said.
Buhari took office in May after defeating former leader Goodluck Jonathan in March's election. The new leader, who ruled Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, vowed his administration would eradicate corruption, defeat Boko Haram terrorists and promote employment and women's empowerment.
On the eve of Buhari's arrival at the summit, a report by Indian intelligence warned of a high risk of attacks by terror groups Boko Haram and The Islamic State (Isis) in India during the summit. Buhari is scheduled to return to Nigeria on 30 October.
India-Nigeria relations
India has recently replaced the US as the biggest importer of Nigerian crude oil and is set to build refineries in the country which remains Africa's biggest oil producer.
The two countries have built economic and diplomatic relations since Nigeria became independent in 1960. In 2007, the then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh was the first Indian leader to travel to Nigeria for an official visit in 45 years.
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