India and Tunisia explore stronger trade & investment ties, review development partnership

India and Tunisia conducted the 5th round of India-Tunisia Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Tunis on May 17, 2023, during which both sides reviewed their trade & investment ties as well as the development partnership.

The consultations, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, were co-chaired by Secretary (CPV and OIA) of India Ausaf Sayeed and Secretary of State for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad Mounir Ben Rjiba.

Furthermore, during his Tunisia visit, Secretary (CPV and OIA) Sayeed met with a number of top government representatives. He met with Tunisia's Minister of Cultural Affairs Hayet Ketat Kermazi and signed a bilateral 'Cultural Exchange Programme' for the years 2023–2026, highlighting the value of cultural cooperation between the two countries.

"Another milestone in India Tunisia relations with signing of Cultural Exchange Programme today by @drausaf and Ms. Hayet Guermazi, Minister of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia boosting cooperation in theatre, dance, music, exhibitions, archaeology, museums, literature, festivals, etc," the Embassy of India to Tunisia and Libya tweeted.

During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire range of bilateral relations, covering political, trade and investments, development partnership, capacity building, culture, people-to-people linkages, among others, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (May 18, 2023).

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Libya and Sudan, developments in the MENA region, and cooperation in multilateral fora, the MEA added.

Dueing the visit, Sayeed met with Ridha Chalghaoun, Director General of GCT, a government division under the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mines of Tunisia. GCT is a partner in the 2013-founded company India-Tunisia Fertilizer S.A. (TIFERT). Their discussions were focused on how to increase the TIFERT plant's output of phosphatic fertilizers and guarantee a steady supply of such fertilizers to India.

Sayeed also interacted with the Indian community at a mission-sponsored event that provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with the diaspora and address their concerns.

According to the MEA, the visit provided further impetus to the bilateral friendly relations between India and Tunisia. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date in India.