Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New Delhi, India, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen trade, investment and diplomatic relations with BRICS member and partner countries.

Shettima is leading a high-level Nigerian delegation to the summit, where he is expected to promote Nigeria’s economic interests in areas including trade, agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, industrial development and the digital economy.

The summit, themed “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” brings together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as representatives of invited international organisations.

Shettima’s participation is part of Nigeria’s efforts to expand trade and investment opportunities and strengthen cooperation within the BRICS framework.

The Vice President’s delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria would explore new partnerships in agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, trade and the digital economy.

She said Nigeria was particularly interested in India’s experience in using technology and artificial intelligence to create opportunities for its large youth population.

Oduwole said the Federal Government was also seeking to deepen Nigeria’s trade relationship with India, which she said had previously stood at about 14 billion dollars.

She added that major Indian investors had expressed interest in meeting the Nigerian delegation during the summit.At the summit, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level discussions on global grow