Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Nigeria, the first visit by an Indian PM in 17 years, kickstarting the first leg of his three-nation visit, at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.PM Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora.Thank you Nigeria for the memorable welcome! pic.twitter.com/2hneeauHD1— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2024This is his first-ever visit to the West African Region. He is on a five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. He will travel to Brazil next to attend the G20 Summit.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abuja, Nigeria. Warmly welcomed by Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who presented the prime minister with the ‘Key to the City’ of Abuja. The key symbolises the trust and honour bestowed on the prime minister by the people of Nigeria,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a late-night post on X.PM Modi Thanks Nigerian PresidentPM Modi responded to a post on X by Tinubu who said that he looked forward to welcoming the Indian Prime Minister.“Our bilateral discussions will seek to expand the strategic partnership between both countries and enhance cooperation in critical sectors. Welcome to Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi,” Tinubu said in his post.Responding to the post, PM Modi thanked the Nigerian President for the warm welcome.“Thank you, President Tinubu. Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations,” he said in the post.Thank you, President Tinubu.Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations. @officialABAT https://t.co/hlRiwj1XnVpic.twitter.com/iVW1Pr60Zi— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 16, 2024The Prime Minister made a series of posts thereafter sharing pictures of his welcome in Abuja.He said in one post, “Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome!” In another post, he said, “In Nigeria, the Marathi community expressed joy at Marathi being conferred the status of a classical language. It is truly commendable how they remain connected to their culture and roots.” Marathi was among several languages granted classical status by the Union Cabinet last month.PM Modi’s Next Stop – BrazilPM Modi will take part in the G20 Summit as a Troika member in Brazil. Outgoing US President Joe Biden, China’s Xi Jinping will be among the participating world leaders in Rio de Janeiro on November 18-19.India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa.In his third and final trip, the Prime Minister will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. He will be the first Indian PM to visit the country in over 50 years.
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