This is the MoS External Affairs’ first ever visit to the North African country

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who is on a three-day visit to Algeria, held a wide ranging and comprehensive discussion with Secretary General of the North African country’s Foreign Affairs Chakib Rachid Kaid on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues on Thursday.

Maintaining about it in his tweet, the MoS External Affairs said: “Had wide ranging & comprehensive discussions with Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Chakib Rachid Kaid on bilateral, regional & multilateral issues.”

The MoS External Affairs added: "India-Algeria partnership in trade, commerce, investment & strategic cooperation set to deepen further.”

Minister V Muraleedhan is on a three-day visit to Algeria from September 15 to 17.

India and Algeria share excellent relations which are deeply rooted in their joint historical struggle against colonialism.

Diplomatic relations between the countries were established in July 1962, the year Algeria gained independence.

Bilateral trade between India and Algeria was valued at US$ 1.39 billion in 2020-21. A number of Indian companies are operational in different sectors in Algeria.