Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will hold talks with the Nigerian leadership in Abuja today. He will meet President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. A range of issues of mutual interest will be discussed during the talks, with both sides looking to further strengthen the bilateral ties and explore new areas of co-operation.<br/><br/> Mr Ansari had reached Nigerian capital Abuja last evening on the first leg of his 2-nation visit to West Africa.<br/><br/> Our correspondent, covering the visit, reports that After receiving a rousing welcome at the Abuja International Airport with traditional African music, and interacting with the Indian community in the Nigerian capital, Mr Ansari will begin his official engagements today. He will meet Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari before holding talks with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. <br/><br/>Terrorism is one of the issues expected to come up during the discussions as both India and Nigeria have been the victims of the menace in the recent past. Mr Ansari had also said onboard the flight to Abuja that terrorism has become a global issue, which disturbs social peace and impacts development. <br/><br/>The bilateral talks between Mr Ansari and the Nigerian Vice President will be followed by delegation-level talks. Some agreements are likely to be signed. Mr Ansari will also take part in a business meeting which will also be attended by his Nigerian counterpart.<br/><br/> The Vice President will deliver an address at the National Defence College in Abuja tomorrow before leaving for Lagos. He will reach Mali on Thursday which will be the first high-level visit to the country by an Indian leader.

India has said, terrorism has become a global issue, one which is disturbing social peace and impacting development. <br/><br/>Talking to media onboard the special flight to Nigerian capital Abuja, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said, eliminating terrorism is in everybody's interest and mechanisms such as intelligence sharing between countries are in place.<br/><br/>On a query on India's approach to raising issues of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan with members of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Vice President said, the facts of the issue are pretty clear and all nations, not just OIC, are aware of the problem of state-sponsored terrorism. He said, while India is engaged bilaterally with OIC states, the organisation itself had limited relevance given its consensus-based approach of functioning.<br/><br/>On his visit to Nigeria and Mali, the Vice President said, it is part of the government's very focused approach to all regions of Africa.<br/><br/>On reforms in the United Nations, Mr Ansari said, although there are obstacles in the path, but the reforms in the UN Security Council are inevitable.<br/><br/>Later, after reaching Abuja, the Vice President inaugurated the Chancery complex of the Indian High Commission. He also inaugurated a photo exhibition showcasing old pictures of various Indian leaders who had visited Nigeria, including former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh. Mr Ansari also Addressed the Indian community present on the occasion. <br/><br/>Our correspondent, covering the visit, reports that today Mr Ansari will hold talks with Nigerian President Muhammudu Buhari and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. Several issues, including terrorism, will be high on the agenda.<br/><br/>The Vice President will visit the Nigerian city of Lagos before leaving for Mali on Thursday. He will return home on Saturday.