New Delhi: The National Security Adviser of Iraq Qasem AI-Araji is visiting India, in the first Cabinet Minister-level visit from Iraq to India in the last seven years. He held talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.
The Iraqi NSA is on a visit to India from March 22-25, at the invitation of Ajit Doval.
The Iraqi NSA was earlier the Minister of Interior in 2016-18. He has been the NSA from July 2020 since the previous government.
During the visit, both NSAs held extensive dialogue on a vast area of mutual interest. Both sides discussed various aspects of ongoing bilateral cooperation. They agreed to enhance defence cooperation, counter terrorism efforts and strengthen security linkages. They also exchanged views on the recent developments in their respective regions, it is learnt.
Iraq has been the largest supplier of oil to India since 2017, accounting for almost 25 % of our oil imports. Iraq is the fifth largest trade partner of India (imports from Iraq: USD 32.00 billion; exports USD 2.4 billion; total trade: USD 34.40 billion).
Opportunities for Indian oil and gas companies in upstream, mid and downstream sectors are vast.
India had organized an Artificial Limb Fitment Camp at Al Kafeel Hospital in Karbala in November-December 2018 which was very well received. Prosthetic limbs/Jaipur Foot were provided to more than 600 amputees on charity basis. A second camp is being planned shortly.
It is estimated that around 33,000 Iraqis travel to India, mostly for medical treatment (estimated to be fetching USD 170 million to Indian hospitals, second after Bangladesh).
There is a historical connection between the peoples of the two countries. India is home to the second largest Muslim community in the world, including a large population of Shias. A large number of pilgrims from India visit the Holy Shrines in Najaf and Karbala and that of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani in Baghdad every year.
During the visit, the Iraqi NSA visited Bharat Electronics Limited and witnessed several examples of ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Iraqi NSA also interacted with various Indian defence industry leaders at an interaction organized by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.
The Iraqi delegation also visited Agra.
UNI
