Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations Receives New Ambassador of India to Iraq

Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Bilateral Relations Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al Uloom received the new Ambassador of the Republic of India to Iraq Mr. Soumen Bagchi, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad, on 22 January 2025.

Undersecretary Bahr Al Uloom congratulated Ambassador Bagchi on assuming his new diplomatic missions, wishing him success in performing his duties in a way that serves the common interests of the two friendly countries. The meeting highlighted the historical ties between the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of India, and discussed the means to develop them across various areas. The Undersecretary stressed the Iraqi government’s keenness to attract international companies with advanced expertise and technologies, pointing to the promising opportunities available in strategic projects, such as the International Development Road, oil industries, energy, and transportation.

As well the Undersecretary expressed his appreciation for the distinguished capabilities of the Indian companies, calling for enhancing their contribution to reconstruction and development projects in Iraq, especially in light of the openness of the Iraqi market to international investments.

The two sides also discussed ways to enhance tourism collaboration between the two countries, with attaching special importance on facilitating the procedures for granting entry visas, especially in light of the increasing number of Indian tourists wishing to visit the holy shrines in Iraq in recent years.

On his part, Ambassador Bagchi commended the positive climate created by the Iraqi government to enhance bilateral cooperation, expressing his country’s readiness to develop partnership with Iraq in the areas of trade, culture, and training programs through specialized Indian institutions. At the end of the meeting, the Undersecretary stressed the importance of continuing coordination between the two countries and activating the work of joint committees, with the aim of strengthening strategic partnerships and overcoming obstacles of joint cooperation.