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Embassy of India
Baghdad
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India-Iraq Bilateral Relations

Historical ties: India and Iraq have historical and civilizational ties. Iraqi port of Basra was not only the market par excellence of the Indian merchandise for the Arab world but also of the famous pearl trade hub for Indian traders and jewellers. During Colonial era Indian soldiers and railway workers have left an imprint in the region.  The Iraqi Philosophers and Sufi saints had such an impact on the spiritual movements in India that Guru Dev Nanak Saheb came personally to Baghdad to deliberate on the ontological and the epistemological questions with Sheikh Behlul who hosted him for nearly three months.  Indian and Iraqi enjoys centuries old spiritual ties.  Thousands of Indians visit the shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas in Karbala every year and also the shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani in Baghdad.

2. Since the outbreak of war in Iraq in 2003, India has been supporting a free, democratic, pluralistic, federal and unified Iraq.  India responded to the urgent needs of Iraq for relief and economic reconstruction directly and as part of international efforts under the UN auspices.  India not only supported Iraq with financial assistance, through UN agencies, for its reconstruction but also made statements at UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in Iraq from time to time.  

3.  High-level visits: There have been high-level political exchanges between the two countries which are summarized below:

(i) Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar met Iraqi DPM and Foreign Minister, Mr. Fuad Hussein on 25 September, 2024 on the sidelines of 79th session of UN General Assembly in New York. 

(ii) DPM and Foreign Minister of Iraq as well as Deputy Minister for Upstream Affairs, Ministry of Oil participated online in the Foreign Ministers’ & Energy Ministers sessions respectively during the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit held on August 17, 2024.

(iii) A 3-member Iraqi Naval delegation led by the Iraqi Commander of the Naval Forcevisited Vishakhapatnam to participate in MILAN-2024, a multi-national naval exercise being held in India from February 19 to 27, 2024.

(iv) DPM and Minister of Oil Mr. Hayan Abdul Ghani visited New Delhi on June 19-20, 2023 to hold 18th session of the India-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep S. Puri. Iraqi Minister of Oil called on Hon’ble VP and met Minister of Health and Chemicals and Fertilizers. He also addressed a business meeting organized by CII. 

(v) Iraqi NSA Mr. Qassem Al-Araji visited India in March 2023 for the India-Iraq Security Dialogue and met Indian NSA and visited several facilities in India. 

(vi) Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV&OIA), Ministry of External Affairs visited Baghdad on February 20, 2023 to hold 2nd round of the India-Iraq Foreign Office Consultations with Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Undersecretary for Political Planning Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. The Indian delegation also had meetings with Deputy PM and Minister of Oil, Minister of Trade, NSA and President of Sunni Awqaf Board. The Indian delegation also visited Kurdistan Region of Iraq and met KDP President, Mr. Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister of KRG and met Deputy Prime Minister, Minister and Head of Department of Foreign Relations, and Minister of Trade and Industry of KRG.

(vii) However, there is no VVIP/high-level from India since September 2019 when Shri V. Muraleedharan, MoS for External Affairs visited Iraq.  Though Indian leaders are actively engaged with Iraq on the sidelines of various International summits/conferences including UNGA.

4. Parliamentary Exchanges: Iraqi Parliament has established an Iraq-India Parliamentary Friendship Group headed by Iraqi MP Mr. Watban Al Mansour in 2023. There had been exchange of visits of parliamentarian from both sides. Iraqi side has also proposed to set up an Iraqi Friendship Group in Indian Parliament for the purpose of enhancing the bilateral parliamentary cooperation and exchanging of experience between the two countries. The proposal is pending for decision with Inter Parliamentary Union Cell of Indian Parliament. 

5. Messages and Greetings between India and Iraq: The President of India, PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister of India and the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas had sent congratulatory messages to their Iraqi counterparts on the occasion of formation of the new government in Iraq after October 13, 2022. EAM and MoPNG had also invited their newly appointed Iraqi counterparts to visit India (Minister of Oil’s visit has taken place in June, 2023). Our PM has sent New Year Greetings for 2025 and 2024 and Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr for 2025 and 2024 to PM and President of Iraq and to the PM of Kurdistan Regional Government, Erbil and our President has extended her new year greetings to the Iraqi President for 2025.

Economic and Commercial relations

6. The economic and trade relations between India and Iraq slowed down after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, the total bilateral trade has grown steadily since 2010, mainly due to increasing crude oil imports. During FY 2022-23, the bilateral trade valued at US$ 37.08 billion (5th largest partner). During FY 2023-24, the bilateral trade amounted to US$ 33.36 billion. This includes imports worth US$ 30.01 billion and exports worth US$ 3.354 billion. Iraq has now become the 7th largest trade partner of India. India opened its Consulate in Erbil, the Capital of Kurdistan region, in August 2016 to further strengthen economic and commercial relations with Iraq. Iraq maintains its consulate in Mumbai, largely for religious visas to Indians. India has also announce to open its Consulate in Najaf to facilitate Indians visiting for pilgrimage as well as large Indian diaspora living in the area. 

8. Iraq has been consistently maintaining the position of the largest supplier of crude oil to India since 2017-18. Iraq had supplied 49.90 MMT crude oil to India during the financial year 2023-24 which accounts for 21.46 % of India’s total oil imports in value. India is the second-largest importer of Iraqi oil after China, accounting for around 30% of Iraq's oil exports. Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) is closely engaged with Indian public sector oil companies viz. IOCL, OVL, HPCL and BPCL. The Iraqi Oil Ministry delegation attended the 9th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable in Bengaluru in February, 2023 and India Energy Week at the invitation of the Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Iraqi oil Minister visited India for the 18th session of India-Iraq JCM and interacted extensively with India businesses and oil companies and addressed a Business Forum hosted by CII. In addition to import of crude in bulk oil, India also imports commodities like raw wool and sulphur from Iraq

9. India's exports to Iraq jumped by 24% in FY 2023-2024 compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 3.4 billion.  Indian exports to Iraq consist of cereals, iron and steel, meat and meat products, pharmaceutical products, agro chemicals, cosmetics, rubber manufactured products, paints, gems and jewellery, ceramics, manufactures of metals, machine tools, electrical machinery and instruments, transport equipment, electronic goods, handicrafts, sugar, tea, garments. A significant volume of exports takes place through Dubai and other destinations.

11. M/S Mokul-Shriram JV has been reallocated US$235 Million project to build Al Qibla sewerage system in Basra. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) won an order for compressor package for Baiji Refinery in Iraq, placed by Northern Refineries Company (NRC), a National Oil refinery company owned by the Ministry of Oil, Iraq. BHEL has also executed a turnkey order for the construction of the 4x125 MW gas turbine-based Sulaymaniyah Power Project in Iraq. Kalpataru group has undertaken $ 60 million power transmission lines project recently in southern Iraq.

12. Trade delegations:

  • Eight Indian companies participated in Iraq International Exhibition for Marble, Alabaster and ceramics on Baghdad Fair Ground for the period from 12-15 December 2024. 

  • More than 20 multisectoral Indian Companies visited Erbil and Sulaymaniyah under the sponsorship of FIEO in June 2024 and held business meetings and BSMS.

  • An India Oil Delegation from IOCL and GAIL met Dr. Ezzat Sabir Ismail, Deputy Minister for Gas Affairs and Mr. Hadi A. Abdulhassan, Direcotr, Quantities and Shipping Division, Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) on 23rd May 2024. 

  • About 20 Indian Construction Companies participated in Erbil Construction Trade Fair held in May 2024. Many ceramics and marble supplying companies are actively doing business in Kurdistan and Iraq.  

  • About half a dozen Iraqi businessmen participated in India Soft Exhibition held in New Delhi from 17-19 January, 2024.

  • An India pavilion was set up at the 47th Baghdad International Fair held from 10-19 January, 2024 in Baghdad under the sponsorship of FIEO with participation of 47 companies and about 100 Indian businessmen. 

  • About a dozen Iraqi businessmen participated in Indusfood-2024 in Greater Noida from 8-10 January, 2024.

  • Embassy participated in IT Fair ITEX-2022, (15-18 February 2022) and ITEX 2023 (Sept, 2023) where it exhibited catalogues, brochures and pamphlets of various leading IT companies from India.

  • Embassy participated in the 13th Agricultural Week, an exhibition on agriculture equipment and good products, organized by Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture during 19-25 March 2022 in Baghdad International Fairgrounds.

  • A nine-member CII business delegation visited Baghdad and Erbil from 25 to 30 June, 2022 and had BSM, B2G and I2I interactions with various Iraqi and Kurdistan Region authorities, business associations, meeting with Electricity, Agriculture and Trade Ministers, Cabinet Secretary and senior officials of Government of Iraq in Baghdad and with Importers/Exporters Union of Kurdistan, Minister & Head of Department of Foreign Relations, Investor’s Union, Minister of Electricity, Minister of Trade & Industry, Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Board of Investment in Erbil.

  • 50 Indian companies under the umbrella of Federation of Indian Exports Organization (FIEO) participated in 46th edition of Baghdad International Fair (BIF) on November 1, 2022. The sectors represented by the Indian companies were electricity and power, hardware and tools, construction and equipment, healthcare and medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, automobile and automotive parts, agriculture and food processing, electrical and electronic components, marble, granite and ceramics, food and beverages, tea, rice, submersible pumps, household appliances, etc.

  • A three-member delegation from Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) visited Iraq in December 2022 to promote Indus Food Expo to be held from January 8-10, 2023 at Hyderabad. 11 Iraqi companies attended Indusfood-2023.

  • Government of Madhya Pradesh organised the 7th Invest Madhya Pradesh 2023 – Global Investors Summit from January 11-12, 2023. FIEO hosted Reverse Buyer-Seller Meeting for foreign buyers and Indian exporters in the focused sectors of Food Processing and allied sectors, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices, Textile & Garments and Automobile & Engineering. Three Iraqi companies participated in the Summit.

  • Several Indian companies have participated in trade fairs and economic and commercial exhibitions held in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan region of Iraq during the past three years. 

13. Iraqi pharmaceutical companies have been actively participating in various trade promotion events organized in India. A number of Indian hospitals are on the panel of Iraqi Health Ministry where the latter sends eligible Iraqi patients. About 29,500 Indian visas, mostly for medical treatment, were issued in 2024 in Baghdad and 5800 in Erbil totaling 35,300 visas in 2024. A number of Indian doctors have been coming to Iraq for short duration medical camps. During the year of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a Jaipur Foot Camp was organized in Karbala from November 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019. A similar camp but on a much larger scale with 1000 artificial limbs was held in Baghdad in November 2023.

14. People-to-people contacts: The people-to-people and institutional contacts have resulted in India becoming one of the most preferred destinations for Iraqis seeking quality medical treatment. More than 10,000 Iraqi students obtained their PhD, Masters and undergraduate studies in India. Government of India has revised Travel Advisory for Iraq in February 2019 allowing Indian nationals to selectively travel to safer areas of Iraq. 

15.  India remained a preferred destination for Iraqis to undergo medical treatment and pursue higher education in India.  Iraqi Airways is currently operating five flights per week on Delhi-Baghdad-Delhi route. There are flights on Najaf-Mumbai, Najaf-Ahmedabad and Najaf-Hyderabad routes. Air India also started its operation to Iraq after more than 25 years for a short period from February to November 2014 to Najaf. 

16. Iraq Post unveiled a special commemorative postage stamp in Baghdad on 15 February 2022  to celebrate the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between India and Iraq (The Friendship Treaty was signed between India and Iraq in 1952), 75 years of India’s Independence (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) and 100 years of establishing Iraqi state.

17. A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in the largest public park, Hawary Shar of Sulaymaniyah on 09 April 2022 and another one at the American University in Baghdad on 25th January, 2023. In all, there are four Mahatma Gandhi busts (two in Kurdistan, one in Baghdad and another in the Mission).

18. Capacity building:

  • Recently 34 Officers from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq are in India under PCFD programme. 

  • India has allocated 200 ITEC slots to Iraq for providing assistance in training officials of the Government of Iraq. More than 90 ITEC officials availed of ITEC training in 2023-24.

  • Two counsellor level officers from Iraqi MoFA participated in ITEC Executive Programme on “Data for Development Capacity Building Initiative “(D4D-CBI)” conducted by NILRED (National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development) in October, 2024. 

  • 13 Iraqi Yoga students participated in advance level course for Yoga teachers training under ITEC held in Bangalore during Feb-March, 2024. 

  • In 2023-24, two specialized country-specific ITEC training courses were organized for Iraq. 

  • A 19-member Senior Government Executives’ Management Development Training Programme was conducted under ITEC at IIM, Indore from 17-28 July, 2023 in Public Administration and e-governance.

  • A 20-member Iraqi IT team from the Prime Minister’s office has undergone a cyber security training programme conducted by C-DAC Mohali from 17 October to 11 November 2022 and another one in November 2023.

  • Iraqi officials participated in the online e-ITEC programmes especially on COVID 19 pandemic management, Cyber Technologies, AI and Emergent Technologies.

  • India has also been offering opportunity to Iraqi students for higher studies in India under ‘General Scholarship Scheme’ (GSS) organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR). Iraq has been allocated 75 scholarship slots for 2024-25.

  • A batch of 25 young Iraqi Diplomats attended a Special Training Course organized by Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi in January 2018.

  • Two batches comprising (i) 29 Iraqi Diplomats & (ii) 13 Iraqi Diplomats underwent training at SSIFS in Aug-Sept, 2019 and Feb-March 2020 respectively.

  • A special e-ITEC webinar for training on basic Covid-19 management conducted by PGI-MER, Chandigarh was also attended by Iraqi Health officials in April, 2020.

  • 20 officials of Iraqi Forensics Department underwent training at the Gujarat Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar in 2019.

  • A group of 18 Iraqi officials from different Ministries/Departments underwent a training programme for English proficiency at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad in March-April, 2019.

19. Engagement with Iraqi Think-Tanks

  • The Al Nahrain Centre for Strategic studies set up with the help of US Govt. The Centre is currently under the administrative control of National Security Council with direct reporting to NSA. The Nahrain Centre has an association with IDSA.  

  • The Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD) is a well-known Iraqi think-tank based in Najaf City and is being run by Shia Zaid Al Talaqani. The center receives extensive funding and assistance from US, Europe, and etc. Global South Centre of Excellence at RIS has signed a Letter of Association (LoI) and an MoU for Cooperation with Al-Rafidain Centre for Dialogue (RCD) in June 2024. Recently, RCD had organized Discussion on “Multi-polarity: Who Rules the Global Landscape”. Mission participated in the discussion. The discussion was very effective and fruitful in the present world scenario. The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Political Planning Affairs, Head of Foreign Affairs Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, and Diplomatic Missions.

  • M/s Accelerate India has signed an agreement for entrepreneurship development and innovation with the Koya University in Sulaymaniyah. 

  • Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization, focused on policy issues relating to the people, the land and the system of governance in the Middle East in general, and Kurdistan and Iraq in particular. It is based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. MERI collaborates widely with internationally academic leaders and senior fellow from leading research institutions of USA, Europe, Turkey, UNDP, FAO, etc. A virtual meeting was held between Global South Centre of Excellence at RIS and MERI on 3 April, 2024. RIS has signed a Letter of Association (LoI) to MERI in April 2024. MERI has invited Global South Center of Excellence (GSCE) for its flagship annual conference in October, 2024 in Erbil. 

20. Indian community: Before the Gulf war in 1991, there were more than 80,000 Indian nationals in Iraq. Most of them left Iraq before the war started. After the 2003 invasion, thousands of Indian workers were recruited by contractors to provide various services to foreign military bases in Iraq. Many of them left with the deteriorating security situation in the country. With the lifting of ban on Indians to travel to Iraq  in May 2010, the number of Indian workers had steadily increased in the more stable Kurdistan region comprising Erbil, Sulaimaniya and Dohuk governorates, with better salaries and working conditions in steel mills, oil companies and construction projects. When the ISIS took over large parts of Iraq in 2014, Government of India evacuated thousands of Indian nationals from Iraq. There has been influx of Indian workers to Iraq after the revision of travel advisory in February 2019. Presently, there are more than 5,000 Indian workers deployed in Karbala Refinery Project. The total number of Indians in Iraq is now estimated to be around 35,000, mostly in Baghdad, Kurdistan region, Basra, Najaf and Karbala. About 1,00,000 Indians visit Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf and Samarrah in Iraq for pilgrimage annually.

21. Religious pilgrimage: A large number of Indian pilgrimages numbering approx. 1,00,000 visit the Holy shrines in Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala every year. Around Around 60,000-70,000 Indian pilgrims visited Karbala and Najaf for Arbaeen, the 40-day mourning period in August, 2024,. Several Indian tourists also visit the holy shrine of a revered Sufi Saint, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani in Baghdad.

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May, 2025


Bilateral Relations