The Indian government has offered a grant of N19.89 million (equivalent to US$55,000) to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos to procure equipment for the digitization of its library.
In a statement signed by Dr G. Tejeswar, Second Secretary (Pol & Info) at the Indian High Commission in Abuja and which was made available to Daily Trust on Thursday, he said “the grant is offered as assistance for the procurement of the equipment for the digitization of the library of NIIA.”
He noted that both India and Nigeria are enjoying warm, friendly and deep-rooted bilateral relations since November 1958, when India established its Diplomatic House in Lagos, two years prior to Nigeria’s independence.
“2018 marks an important milestone in the bilateral relations between India and Nigeria as it ushers in sixty (60) years of diplomatic engagement between the two counties.
“India is emerging as a development partner of Nigeria by offering grants and concessional loans in the areas of interest to Nigeria.
“During the Founding Conference of International Solar Alliance (ISA) that was held in India in March 2018, India announced a concessional loan of US$75 million for two solar projects.
“This is in addition to the US$100 million LoC already offered to Nigeria, of which projects in Kaduna and Cross Rivers amounting to US$60 million are under implementation.
“India’s renewed commitment to Africa was enunciated by Honourable Prime Minister of India H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi earlier this year through announcement of Ten Guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa,” the statement read.
He expressed the Indian government’s commitment “to support the efforts of African countries in their national development.”
