2nd round of India-Iraq Foreign Office Consultations held in Baghdad

Baghdad: The second round of the India-Iraq Foreign Office Consultations was held on Monday in Baghdad. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs)  while  Iraq’s delegation was led by  Undersecretary for Political Planning Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Dr. Hisham Al Alawi. 

Dr. Ausaf Sayeed called on Deputy Prime Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani and  Minister of Trade  Atheer Dawood Salman among others and discussed a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both sides noted the warm and friendly traditional relations, and comprehensively reviewed the current status of bilateral relations in all fields including political, economic, defence, security, trade and investments.

External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that detailed



discussions were held on further strengthening of the bilateral relations and the future direction of the growth of bilateral cooperation. India and Iraq also  expressed their satisfaction about the bilateral trade, which exceeded 34 billion US dollars for 2021-22 and discussed ways and means to further increase and diversify trade from oil to non-oil sectors.

Both sides also agreed on the importance of continuing the upward momentum in the relationship through exchanges of regular visits and consultations, and agreed to hold the next India-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting at Oil Ministers’ level in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

Secretary Dr. Ausaf Sayeed also  inaugurated the newly-constructed Indian Consular Application Centre in Baghdad which will facilitate Indian and Iraqi nationals, seeking visas and consular services.