NEW DELHI (TIP): Iraq on Aug 23 invited Indian business to participate in the rebuilding of the warweary country which is moving toward normalcy. “India‘s experience will help, we are depending much on India’s experience,” visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamil al-Maliki said. “Iraq is in the process of rebuilding its democratic system,” he added. The Iraqi premier was addressing a meeting of Iraqi and Indian business leaders organized by industry chambers Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ( Assocham). Iraq, he said, is rich not only in oil and gas, but offered greater opportunities for India in other sectors like infrastructure, ports, airports, health and education.

This is the first visit by an Iraqi Prime Minister to India, and during the trip, the two countries will sign four agreements. Two of the agreements deal with energy and water management. The other two are at the diplomatic level for enabling consultation between both countries on foreign affairs and training of diplomats at the foreign services institutions of both the countries. Iraq is now India’s second largest supplier of crude oil. The agreement on energy cooperation is expected to be of significant upgrading of energy relationship from a buyer-seller one to a “strategic engagement”, sources said.