India, Nov. 29 -- A little over two months after China's assiduous wooing of Nigeria, India sought to do the same during PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to the African nation. The prime ministerial visit, coming after a gap of 17 years, should inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties. It should also, hopefully, help a bit in countering Beijing's growing influence in Nigeria, a country with whom India has enjoyed close and robust ties for decades but now finds itself in competition with China.

While India and Nigeria have 'a strategic partnership', the African nation and China elevated their ties to 'a comprehensive strategic partnership' this year. The courting of Nigeria as well as dozens of other African countries was done bilaterally...