By Biola Lawal
Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The volume of trade between Nigeria and India has now hit 7.9 billion dollars, an indicator of the increasing economic and business relation between the two countries.

The Indian Acting High Commissioner in Nigeria, Vartika Rawat, who made the disclosure in an interview with FLOWERBUDNEWS in Abuja during a dinner with media dignitaries, said that the current high volume of economic and general business activities was beneficial to the two nations.

(Publisher, FLOWERBUDNEWS, Hon. Biola Lawal with Acting Indian High Commissioner,  Vartika Rawat)

Rawat said that the business and economic transactions between Nigeria and India was particularly pronounced in the areas of crude oil, peanuts and cashew nuts importation by India from Nigeria, while pharmaceutical products, tricycles (Keke Napep) among others were exportation to Nigeria from India.

The Envoy said that areas of increasing cooperation between Nigeria and India included in Space Technology, Digital Economy, Education, Health, pharmaceutical and agriculture.

(Indian diplomats in group photograph with feted journalists)

”The relationship between our two nations remain strong and robust,” Rawat told FLOWERBUDNEWS, noting that the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi to Nigeria last year was an impetus for the boosted relationship.

Tracing the history of Nigeria – India relations, Rawat said that India established diplomatic relations with Nigeria, two years before Nigeria’s independence in 1960, and had been waxing stronger since then.

Rawat noted that Indian businessmen and inventors had been contributing heavily to the economy of Nigeria with about 200 indian companies operating in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

(With NTA’s Patricia Lubba)

”Indian companies are the largest employer of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government,” Rawat stated, and assured that the High Commission was committed to further strengthening the cordial relationship between the two nations.

On allegations that Nigerians are finding it very difficult to obtain Indian visa, Rawat dismissed the claim, explaining that the High Commission never deliberately deny.any Nigerian visa.

The Envoy implored Nigerians wishing to visit India for business or any other reasons to always ensured that their documents were all in order, saying; ”we don’t deny visa”.

Rawat disclosed that few days ago. about 100 Nigerians were issued student visas at a go to study in various Indian Universities etc. (FLOWERBUDNEWS)