Modi-Shettima BRICS 2026 meet: India, Nigeria to deepen trade, clean energy and defence ties
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi and Nigerian VP Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership — covering trade, clean energy, fertilisers, defence and digital tech — while also aligning on Global South priorities and the push for a multipolar world order. The meeting signals India's intent to deepen its Africa engagement through BRICS diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi met Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima on 13 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi .
Talks covered trade and investment , clean energy , fertilisers , defence and security , health , and digital technologies .
Both leaders reaffirmed the India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership and expressed satisfaction at steady bilateral progress.
They aligned on Global South priorities and called for a more representative, multipolar international order.
Nigeria is a BRICS partner country ; India is hosting the summit as BRICS Chair in 2026 at Bharat Mandapam .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 13 September 2026 held bilateral talks with Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across trade, clean energy, defence, and digital technologies.
Key Areas of Discussion
According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders reviewed the multifaceted India-Nigeria relationship and expressed satisfaction at steady progress across diverse sectors. The talks covered trade and investment, defence and security, energy partnership, agriculture, health, and digital technologies.
Modi also shared his government's continued commitment to deepening India's engagement with Africa more broadly. Vice President Shettima, in turn, appreciated India's development experience and its contributions to capacity building and economic growth in Nigeria.
What PM Modi Said
Modi shared details of the meeting on social media platform X, stating: 'Delighted to meet Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria on the sidelines of the Delhi BRICS Summit. We discussed cooperation in areas such as trade, power, clean energy, fertilisers and defence. We also reviewed cooperation in health, capacity building, technology and more.'
Global South and Multilateral Priorities
Beyond bilateral matters, both leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, with a particular focus on priorities and concerns of the Global South. The MEA noted that they 'emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora and working together towards a more representative, inclusive and multi-polar international order.'
This aligns with India's broader diplomatic posture as BRICS Chair in 2026 — a role it has used to amplify Global South voices, reform calls at the United Nations, and deepen South-South cooperation frameworks.
BRICS Context and Nigeria's Position
India hosted the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together leaders of BRICS member states, partner countries, and outreach invitees. Nigeria is currently a BRICS partner country, alongside Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Full BRICS membership comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The summit has served as a platform for multiple bilateral engagements on India's margins, with the Modi-Shettima meeting among the more consequential given Nigeria's status as Africa's largest economy.
What Comes Next
No specific timelines or deals were announced following the meeting, but the MEA statement described the encounter as a reaffirmation of a 'stronger, forward-looking partnership, contributing to peace, prosperity and development in both countries and in the wider Global South.' Follow-up working-group meetings on trade and energy cooperation are expected through diplomatic channels in the coming months.
Point of View
Africa's largest economy, is still a BRICS partner rather than a full member, and India's engagement here carries implicit signalling about which African economies it wants closer. The emphasis on clean energy and fertilisers is commercially pointed: India is a major fertiliser importer and Nigeria a hydrocarbon-rich state that has struggled to monetise its energy assets. Whether these stated intentions translate into binding agreements, however, remains the central test — past India-Africa summits have generated ambitious communiqués with limited follow-through.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi and Nigerian VP Kashim Shettima discuss at BRICS 2026?
The two leaders discussed cooperation in trade and investment, clean energy, fertilisers, defence and security, health, digital technologies, and capacity building. They also exchanged views on Global South priorities and the push for a more multipolar international order, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
What is the India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership?
The India-Nigeria Strategic Partnership is the formal bilateral framework governing cooperation between the two countries across economic, security, and development areas. The meeting on 13 September 2026 reaffirmed both sides' commitment to strengthening this partnership with a forward-looking agenda.
Is Nigeria a member of BRICS?
Nigeria is currently a BRICS partner country, not a full member. Full BRICS membership includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Where was the 18th BRICS Summit held?
The 18th BRICS Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India. India hosted the summit as BRICS Chair in 2026, bringing together leaders of member states, partner countries, and outreach invitees over two days.
What are the next steps following the Modi-Shettima meeting?
No specific agreements or timelines were announced immediately after the meeting. The MEA statement indicated a reaffirmation of a forward-looking partnership, with diplomatic follow-up expected on trade and energy cooperation through working-group channels in the coming months.
