The Defence Minister of India, Rajinath Singh, will lead the country’s delegation to the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had detailed Mr Singh as a special envoy to Nigeria for the ceremony in a letter.

The minister is expected to arrive in Abuja on Sunday before the inauguration.

“The visit of Mr Rajnath Singh reflects the growing bilateral relations between India and Nigeria and signifies India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.

“Mr Singh is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs of India,” the letter read in part.

The minister’s visit would also be an avenue to invite Mr Tinubu to the G20 meeting in India in September.

“Minister Singh is expected to have a special message to the President-elect of Nigeria regarding the G20. The G20 summit, 2023, will be held in New Delhi on 9-10 Sept. 2023 with the Heads of State of the member countries and Invited guest countries.

“As India continues to enhance its engagements in Africa, the visit of Defence Minister Singh to Abuja marks a significant step in deepening the bilateral relationship between India and Nigeria, setting the stage for a new chapter of cooperation and partnership between the two nations,” the letter concludes.

(NAN)