PM Modi arrives in Brazil for G20 Summit after productive visit to Nigeria

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday (November 18, 2024) after completing a productive two-day visit to Nigeria.

“Landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to take part in the G20 Summit. I look forward to the Summit deliberations and fruitful talks with various world leaders,” he wrote on social media platform X. He received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community on his arrival. “Deeply touched by the warm and lively welcome from the Indian community upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro. Their energy reflects the affection that binds us across continents,” Prime Minister Modi said as he shared photographs in a separate X post.

India is a member of the G20 Troika which includes the past, current, and next presidencies. In the departure statement ahead his three-nation, five day visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana on Saturday (November 16, 2024), Prime Minister Modi said, “Last year, India’s successful Presidency elevated the G-20 to people’s G-20 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its Agenda. This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy”. 

He said he looked forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. “I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders,” he added.

Nigeria Honours PM Modi With National Award

On November 17, 2024, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the country’s national award - Grand Commander of the Order of Niger - on Prime Minister Modi during a ceremony in Abuja for his statesmanship and stellar contribution to fostering India-Nigeria ties. The award citation notes that under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, India has been positioned as a global powerhouse, and his transformative governance has fostered unity, peace and shared prosperity for all.

Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to receive the honour since 1969. He dedicated the honour to the people of India and to the longstanding, historical friendship between India and Nigeria. He stated that the recognition underscores the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to the aspirations of the Global South.

The two leaders earlier held official talks and explored greater cooperation to strengthen the India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership. 

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress of ties and agreed that there was immense potential for collaboration in the fields of trade, investment, education, energy, health, culture, and people-to-people ties. 

Prime Minister Modi offered India’s experience in agriculture, transportation, affordable medicine, renewable energy, and digital transformation to Nigeria. On the other hand, President Tinubu appreciated the development cooperation partnership offered by India and its meaningful impact in creating local capacities, skills, and professional expertise. 

Following the talks, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) - on Cultural Exchange Programme, Customs Cooperation and Survey Cooperation – were signed.

This was the first visit by a Prime Minister of India to Nigeria in 17 years. Before departing from New Delhi on November 16, 2024, Prime Minister Modi said his visit to Nigeria would be an opportunity to build upon “our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism.”