India supports Iraq as strategic partner against ISIS
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar. File photo.
(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on behalf of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has received a message from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaafari also praised that New Delhi has facilitated visa procedures for Iraqis and indicated that Iraq is willing to build strong relations with India.
The media office of the Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Iraqi News, “Today, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has received the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar who deliver a message from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” noting that, “The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between Baghdad and New Delhi and the prospects of joint cooperation in various fields to serve the interests of the two friendly countries.”
According to the statement Jaafari said, “Iraq represents the front line against ISIS terrorist gangs, and it is passing through exceptional and challenging circumstances such as the security and economic challenges and the drop in oil prices, in addition to the cost of war, which requires the support of its friendly countries.”
“Iraq is willing to build strong cooperation relations with India in different fields. We are also praising the Indian support for Iraq in the international forums and in its war against terrorism,” Jaafari added.
Jaafari also praised the Indian response to the Iraqi request to facilitate the procedures of visa to Iraqis in order to get the visa in only 48 hours for patients and one week for students.
Meanwhile, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar formally invited Jaafari to visit India to reinforce the bilateral relations between the two countries and said, “We are your partners in war, and India is supporting Iraq as a strategic partner against ISIS terrorist gangs.”