Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend the 2026 BRICS Leaders’ Summit scheduled to hold in New Delhi, India, on September 12 and 13.
The invitation was disclosed by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, during an engagement in Abuja.
Singh said India was looking forward to stronger Nigerian participation in global economic and political platforms, particularly within BRICS.
According to him, Nigeria’s role as Africa’s largest economy and one of the world’s most populous countries makes its participation strategically important to the group.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would attend the summit with a high-powered Nigerian delegation.
“President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has been invited to the BRICS Summit, which is going to take place in New Delhi in a few weeks from now, and we are very hopeful that the Honourable President of Nigeria will be leading a high-powered delegation,” Singh said.
He added that the 2026 summit, under India’s chairmanship, would focus on pressing global challenges, economic cooperation and engagement with BRICS partner countries.
Singh also highlighted growing diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and India, particularly at the United Nations.
He disclosed that Nigeria has expressed support for India’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, while India has also backed Nigeria’s candidacy.
India is promoting its campaign under the banner “SHANTI” — Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity — which Singh said reflects the country’s vision of a peaceful, inclusive and reformed global order.
He reiterated India’s support for reforms to the UN Security Council, including an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership.
The Indian envoy further highlighted the contributions of the Indian community in Nigeria, estimating that about 60,000 Indians currently live in the country.
He said many are second- and third-generation Indians who have become deeply integrated into Nigerian society and serve as a bridge between both countries in areas including education, healthcare, culture and commerce.
Singh noted that India’s diplomatic presence in Nigeria dates back to 1958, when it established a Liaison Office in Lagos, two years before Nigeria gained independence.
The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in October 2007, paving the way for broader cooperation in political, economic and security matters.
Nearly two decades later, Singh said the partnership had developed into a multidimensional relationship covering defence, energy, healthcare, agriculture and technology.
He added that bilateral trade between both countries was approaching $10 billion, while more than 200 Indian companies operate in Nigeria and employ nearly 100,000 Nigerians.
The latest invitation is expected to further strengthen ties between Abuja and New Delhi, with Nigeria increasingly regarded by India as a strategic partner in Africa and the wider Global South.