India has extended invitation to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria to participate in the forthcoming G20 summit.
The summit is billed to take place in India between September 9 and 10, 2023.
Facilitating discussions among the world’s leading economies, the G20 comprises member states responsible for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and representing two-thirds of the world’s population.
The G20’s membership roster boasts prominent nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain also perennially participated as a distinguished permanent guest.
On President Tinubu’s potential presence at the summit, Amb. Shri G. Balasubramanian, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, emphasized the channels of communication already opened between both countries.
The envoy also expressed deep satisfaction with the country’s involvement at ministerial, working group, and engagement group levels in the over 140 various meetings that have been held so far.
The ambassador underlined the historical ties between both nations, emphasising the significance of strengthening bilateral relations to foster mutual growth and understanding.
He said, “So in that connection, we are expecting His Excellency Mr. Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria to visit India for the forthcoming G20. The summit in India is on 9th and 10th of September this year.
“So this is something that we are working closely with Nigerian authorities.
“We have had more than 140 meetings from December till now and we are very satisfied with the participation of Nigeria in the G20 meetings and at the ministerial level, working group level, engagement group level, and so on and so forth.”
“We are expecting the current president to also visit India. I will come to the background just in a while now. We assumed that given the special relationship that we have had with Nigeria for the past many years, when we took over the presidency of G20 in December 2022. We invited Nigeria as a guest country for the first time to the G20. So, that itself reflects the strength of the relationship, political relationship and the close cooperation that we have been having.”