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India as the largest democracy in the world is willing to partner with Nigeria towards successful general elections in 2023.

Indian Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, said this Tuesday at State House, Abuja, when he was hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He was in Abuja to take part in the Nigeria-India Business Council, and described Nigeria as “centre of our engagement with Africa.”

He said Buhari was a “worthy alumnus of our Defence Services College.”

Muraleedharan, who brought greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Nigeria and India had robust relations in business, defense, education and many other areas.

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Buhari went down memory lane on his one-year training in India as a military officer at Defence Services College, Wellington, recalled the 1973 visit.

He said: “It was a very good experience. I think I was a Lt Colonel then, and I spent a year in India. We traveled and met international people from different countries. It became part of my success story in the military.”

The president said the Nigerian Defence Academy was established by Indians.

He said both countries had firm relationship economically, politically and in the area of security.

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Buhari said Nigeria and India must continue to build on the longstanding relationship to the benefit of both countries

(Daily Trust)