Ample homework have been done by both sides before the four-day visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to India beginning from August 22 for signing of a bilateral agreement on energy cooperation.

Both India and Iraq are likely to sign agreements for setting up of joint ventures in petroleum, petro-chemicals and chemical fertilisers.

Iraq is also expected to sugn agreements seeking India’s help in the management of its water resources and build infrastructure in the war ravaged country.
India is aiming to revive its status as a project exporter to Iraq.

Iraq was ravaged by intermittent wars since 30 years before democracy was established in 2005. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki assumed office in 2006. India’s relationship with its long-time friend suffered hitas during the period of turbulance. Thereafter efforts were made to restore the lost relationship and the first joint commission meeting between the two countries took place in New Delhi in 2007.

The second joint commission meeting which took place in Iraq, about 20 days after the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to that country in June, this year, paved the way for diversification of economic relations between the two countries.

India imports about $ 21 billion crude oil from Iraq, which is 12.9% of total crude oil import done by India.

“We intend to diversify our relationship from the existing buyer-seller order. Agreements will be signed for setting up joint ventures for broadening the relationship to greater cooperation in the energy sector,” said the Official Spokesperson in the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slated to have a delagation level talks with the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday, following which several bilateral agreements will be signed.

In the area of capacity building, India offers 150 ITEC slots and 50 ICCR scholarships annually to Iraqi students. About 10,000 Iraqi students are studying at various institutes in India Many Iraqi’s prefer to undergo medical treatment in India.