Sushma Swaraj to take up case of 39 missing Indias with Iraq Foreign Minister

Dr. Ibrahim will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan to hold discussion on the entire gamut of bilateral relations between both the countries.

New Delhi, July 24: Iraq Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim al-Jaafari arrived in New Delhi on Monday morning for a five-day visit to India. Dr. Ibrahim will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan to hold discussion on the entire gamut of bilateral relations between both the countries, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will be accompanied by a senior-level official delegation. Swaraj will hold extensive talks with her Iraqi counterpart today during which focus is expected to be on the issue of 39 Indians kidnapped by the ISIS three years ago from Mosul city.

He's also scheduled to meet Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan in the afternoon. Later in the day, he's expected to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari at 6, Maulana Azad Road.

On the second day of his visit, the Iraqi Foreign Minister will attend a programme in the National Capital and on Wednesday he will fly to Mumbai to attend a programme.

On the fourth day of his visit, Dr Ibrahim will come back here to be a part of another programme and on Friday July 28, he will emplane to Iraq at around 4 a.m.

"India and Iraq have historically enjoyed close and friendly political, economic and cultural ties. Our robust bilateral trade amounted to nearly US$ 13 billion in 2016-17. Iraq contributes significantly to Indias energy security and is the second-largest supplier of crude oil to us (over 37 MMT during 2016-17). Thousands of Indians visit Iraq annually for pilgrimage to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh had visited Iraq this year to coordinate and facilitate the return of the Indians stuck in Iraq.

Earlier in August 2016, Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar visited Iraq.Bilateral trade till August 2016 between India and Iraq was of USD 5077 Mn of which Indias Exports accounted for USD 425 Mn and Imports for 4652 Mn.Indian exports to Iraq consist of cereals, iron and steel, meat and meat products, pharmaceutical products, agro chemicals, cosmetics, rubber manufactured products, paints, gems and jewellery, ceramics, manufactures of metals, machine tools, electrical machinery and instruments, transport equipment, electronic goods, handicrafts, sugar, tea, garments.

Oneindia News (with agency inputs)