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From John Bassey, Gusau
In a continued effort to enhance Nigeria’s military partnerships globally, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, held a bilateral meeting with the Indian Minister of State for Defence, Mr Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, in New Delhi on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Personal Assistant on Media to the Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
The two Ministers engaged in detailed discussions aimed at advancing and strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations. Their talks focused on expanding military engagements in key areas, including counter-terrorism training, research and development, maritime security, with particular emphasis on hydrography and anti-piracy operations, as well as deepening defence industry collaboration.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Mr Seth highlighted India’s advanced defence industrial capabilities, underscoring its capacity to produce cutting-edge military platforms such as Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). He assured the Nigerian side of India’s full support in meeting its defence procurement needs and enhancing operational capabilities.
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In turn, Minister Matawalle invited the Indian delegation to visit Nigeria’s defence industry, offering an opportunity to explore potential investments and collaborative initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
Minister Matawalle, who is leading a delegation on an official visit to India from August 11–14, 2025, also engaged with Indian defence industry leaders, further cementing the growing cooperation between the two nations’ defence sectors.
The historical military ties between India and Nigeria, dating back to the early 1960s, continue to evolve, driven by shared democratic values and a mutual commitment to regional and global security. As the largest democracies in their respective continents, both nations remain steadfast partners in the pursuit of peace, stability, and military modernisation.
