By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Nigerians who have overstayed their visas in India may soon secure extra time to return home without facing penalties, following talks between both nations to extend the current amnesty program.
The issue took center stage during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi between Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit themed “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu sought a further extension of the existing amnesty arrangement to enable affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without penalties, according to a statement emailed to PerSecondNews on Sunday by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communications and New Media to the Minister.
The two ministers also discussed the possibility of concluding a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
The planned MoU would establish arrangements for transferring eligible prisoners between the two countries, with both sides seeking a process that protects their welfare and ensures the transfers are properly handled.
The discussions also turned to the economic relationship, with both ministers considering ways to increase commercial activity and attract more investment between Nigeria and India.
They also highlighted the need to deepen mutually beneficial economic partnerships between Nigeria and India.
Beyond the economic front, the ministers identified education and cultural interaction as areas where deeper engagement could strengthen connections between Nigerians and Indians and create more opportunities for citizens.
The collaboration is expected to foster closer ties between the two countries and expand opportunities for their citizens.
The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to leverage its participation in the BRICS platform to advance bilateral partnerships and expand economic opportunities.
It also underscored Nigeria’s push to promote stronger South-South cooperation through its engagement with the BRICS platform.