The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur has called for closer working relationship between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Indian Navy (IN).
Specifically, he said the Indian Navy was prepared to partner the Nigerian Navy in the development of platforms such as landing Ship tanks, training in hydrography and security in the Gulf of Guinea among other areas.
Mr. Thakur made this advocacy when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Headquarters even as he called for increased collaboration and cooperation between both navies.
The High Commissioner disclosed that he had already held discussions with Minister of Science and Technology and the National Security Adviser on the possible areas of cooperation between the Indian Government and the Nigerian Government.
He added that the Indian Government will be willing to assist in the areas of combating insurgency and terrorism.
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Furthermore, he mentioned that the Indian Navy would also provide additional training slots for Nigerian Navy as well as also providing hydrographic assistance to the NN.
Responding, the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas noted that the Indian Navy has always offered great support to the NN in the areas of training and military cooperation.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas stated that the NN will look at the various training billets of the Indian Navy to see areas where the two navies could have exchange programmes.
Also, the CNS stated that the Nigerian Navy would leverage on the vast experience of the Indian Navy Dockyard, Goa, as it tries to develop and expand its already existing dockyards.
A statement by Commodore Suleiman Dahun, Director of Naval Information said the High Commissioner of India was accompanied by the Indian Defence Adviser, Colonel Sachin Dubey while the CNS received the High Commissioner in company of some of his Principal Staff Officers in the Naval Headquarters.
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