Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) in Ministry of External Affairs, co-chaired the 7th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Algeria in Algiers on Monday. She held detailed discussions with Lounes Magramane, Secretary General of Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The consultations served as an important platform for both countries to review their bilateral relationship and explore new opportunities for cooperation. The two sides held wide-ranging discussions covering key sectors such as energy, higher education, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
Energy cooperation was one of the main focus areas, with both nations discussing ways to strengthen collaboration in oil, gas, and renewable energy. Given Algeria’s rich energy resources and India’s growing energy needs, both sides agreed that deeper cooperation in this sector would be mutually beneficial.
In the field of education, the leaders discussed expanding academic partnerships between universities and institutions in both countries. They highlighted the importance of student exchange programs, research collaborations, and skill development initiatives to build stronger educational ties.
Trade and economic cooperation were also key topics during the talks. Both sides stressed the need to increase bilateral trade by encouraging investments, supporting businesses, and exploring new markets. They agreed to work towards reducing trade barriers and improving connectivity to boost economic growth.
The discussions also emphasized strengthening people-to-people connections through cultural exchanges, tourism, and cooperation in arts and heritage. Such initiatives are expected to bring the citizens of both countries closer and deepen mutual understanding.
Both India and Algeria reviewed the progress made since the last round of consultations and expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in their relationship. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest, highlighting the importance of cooperation for maintaining peace and stability.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening ties. They agreed to continue working closely to achieve shared goals and ensure long-term growth in India-Algeria relations.