New Delhi

National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval and visiting Iraqi NSA Qasem Al-Araji agreed on Thursday to enhance defence cooperation, counter terrorism efforts and strengthen security linkages.

During their meeting here, Doval and Al-Araji discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and also exchanged views on recent developments in their respective regions.

Al-Alarji is on a four day (March 22 to 25) visit to India at the invitation of Mr Doval. The visit assumes significance given the fact that it is the first visit in seven years from Iraq at the level of the Cabinet Minister. Araji was Minister of Interior in Iraq from 2016 to 2018. He took over as NSA in July 2020.

During the visit, the Iraqi NSA visited Bharat Electronics Limited where he saw many examples of ‘Make in India’ initiative. Araji also interacted with many Indian defence industry leaders at an event organized by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. The Iraqi delegation also visited Agra.

India and Iraq have a strong historical connection. 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.

India and Iraq are dependent on one another in many areas. Iraq has been the largest supplier of oil to India since 2017, accounting for almost a quarter of our oil imports. Iraq is the fifth largest trade partner of India (imports from Iraq: USD 32 billion; exports USD 2.4 billion; total trade: USD 34.40 billion). Apart from this, Indian oil and gas companies have huge opportunities in upstream, mid and downstream sectors.

India had organised an Artifical Limb Fitment Camp in Al Kafeel hospital in Karbala in November-December,2018. More than 600 amputees received prosthetic limbs free of cost. A similar camp is being planned.

According to estimates, around 33,000 Iraqis travel to India, mostly for medical treatment.