By IANS,
New Delhi: The Indian Army vice chief, Lt. Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, left Monday for a three-day goodwill visit to Nigeria that will further boost the defence cooperation between the two nations.
The June 5-7 visit would “further boost the historic and traditional defence relations” India has with with Nigeria, defence spokesperson said.
“During his three day official visit, he will be meeting senior officials of the Nigerian armed forces and attending the Nigerian Army Day celebrations,” the spokesperson added.
During his interaction with senior military officials, Bhardwaj will discuss “issues to enhance military cooperation”.
“The visit will further cement the historic ties between India and Nigeria which are based mutual trust and understanding,” the spokesperson said.
Defence cooperation has been a vital tool to enhance the relations between India and Nigeria, which share similarities in their struggle against colonialism and in their ethnic diversity and geo-political outlook.
India and Nigeria signed a strategic partnership deal called the “Abuja Declaration” during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2007.
The defence cooperation with Nigeria has existed since 1963 and the Indian armed forces have contributed significantly in laying the foundation of various army training establishments there.
The armed forces of the two nations have been comprehensively cooperating in the field of military training and United Nations peacekeeping training.