India, Nigeria deepen maritime security cooperation

India and Nigeria are deepening their maritime security cooperation, signaling a strengthening of their overall defense relationship. A Nigerian Navy delegation is scheduled to visit India for the third Naval Sub Group Meeting, a key event to review existing naval collaboration and explore new avenues for bilateral defense engagement.

This upcoming meeting builds upon several years of increased naval interaction. In September 2022, the Indian Navy's INS Tarkash participated in a joint maritime exercise with Nigerian Navy patrol ships in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise focused on critical areas such as anti-piracy operations, assisting distressed vessels, search and rescue, and maritime interdiction.

Further strengthening ties, the INS Sumedha made a port call in Lagos in October 2023 during its deployment to the Gulf of Guinea. This visit included professional exchanges, planning conferences, and a maritime partnership exercise with the Nigerian Navy, as part of India's second anti-piracy deployment in the region.

Maritime security emerged as a more significant aspect of the bilateral defense relationship following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria in November 2024. Both nations agreed to bolster cooperation in maritime security, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism. They also committed to supporting coordinated efforts to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean.

The Gulf of Guinea remains a vital maritime security zone for Nigeria, where piracy and other maritime crimes pose ongoing risks to shipping and commerce. This region holds strategic importance for India due to its energy and trade links with West Africa. The growing naval relationship emphasizes practical cooperation, including professional exchanges, operational experience sharing, anti-piracy activities, and enhancing interoperability between the two navies. Defense cooperation also extends to military training, capacity building, counter-terrorism, organized crime, and intelligence sharing.