Abdelkader Messahel, Foreign Minister of People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria undertook a bilateral visit to India from 30th January to 01 February, 2019. During his visit, he held bilateral discussions with Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister on a wide range of issues on how to further deepen relations between India and Algeria that include defence and security, fertilizers, space cooperation, Counter Terrorism, Education, ITEC etc. They also discussed regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
The visiting Foreign Minister was also the special emissary of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. He called on Hon’ble Rashtraptiji and handed over a letter from President Bouteflika. It may be recalled that President Bouteflika was the Chief Guest for Republic Day 2001.
During the visit, the following two documents were signed:
(i) Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
(ii) Agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports with Algeria
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Algeria, called on the President of India, Ram NathKovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 31, 2019.
Welcoming Messahel to India, the President said that India and Algeria enjoy traditionally warm and historic relations. There has been regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries. He noted that India and Algeria are cooperating in several strategic areas including space, defence and civil nuclear energy.
Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic wants Indian companies to invest
The President said that in the recent past, several countries in the Arab world have made investments in refineries, pipelines and related infrastructure in India. Algeria being the sixth largest exporter of gas and the 13th largest producer of petroleum products should consider similar investments, particularly in oil reserves, refineries and LNG terminals as these investments would be in mutual interest.
