National Security Adviser of Iraq Qasem Al-Araji is visiting India between March 22 and 25 at the invitation of NSA Ajit Doval.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 25, 2023 03:03 IST
National Security Adviser of Iraq Qasem Al-Araji is visiting India between March 22 and 25 at the invitation of NSA Ajit Doval.
By Manjeet Negi: The National Security Advisors (NSA) of India and Iraq have agreed to enhance defence cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts and strengthen security linkages between the two countries.
National Security Adviser of Iraq Qasem Al-Araji is visiting India between March 22 and 25 at the invitation of NSA Ajit Doval. The visit of the Iraqi NSA is the first cabinet minister-level visit from Iraq to India in the last seven years.
During the visit, both NSAs had extensive dialogue on a vast area of mutual interest. Both sides discussed various aspects of ongoing bilateral cooperation. They agreed to enhance defence cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts and strengthen security linkages. They also exchanged views on the recent developments in their respective regions.
Iraq has been the largest supplier of oil to India since 2017, accounting for almost 25 per cent 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).
In November-December 2018, India organised an artificial limb fitment camp at Al Kafeel hospital in Karbala which was very well received. Prosthetic limbs or Jaipur Foot were provided to more than 600 amputees on a charity basis. A second camp is being planned shortly, the officials said.
They said, as per estimates, around 33,000 Iraqis travel to India, mostly for medical treatment. It is estimated that it fetches USD 170 million for Indian hospitals.
During the visit, the Iraqi NSA visited Bharat Electronics Limited and witnessed several examples of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He also interacted with various Indian defence industry leaders at an interaction organised by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.
