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Transcript of Special Briefing by Secretary (CPV & OIA) on President's Visit to Algeria (October 15, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

October 16, 2024

Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Good afternoon everyone. I welcome you all to this Special Media Briefing on the ongoing visit of the Honorable President of India to Algeria; and for that I have the pleasure to introduce you, sitting on the dais with me, Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs; Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni, Ambassador of India to Algeria; Shri M. Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA), Ministry of External Affairs; and Smt. Navika Gupta, Deputy Press Secretary to the President of India. With this brief introduction, now I would like to request Secretary (CPV & OIA) to brief the media on the visit.

Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): Thank you, Rajesh; a very good evening to all of you, Namaskar and Salam Walekum to all our friends from the media. As you all know, the Honorable President of India is on a 3-day State visit to Algeria, and she would be departing for Mauritania tomorrow morning. So I thought that I will meet you and brief you on the visit as we just come towards the end of it.

As you all know, the Honorable President is on a 3-nation State visit to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi. She arrived in Algiers on the evening of 13th October from New Delhi on the first leg of her visit. As a special gesture, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria received her at the airport and accorded her a ceremonial welcome. The importance accorded by the Algerian side to this visit can be ascertained from the fact that several Algerian Ministers were also at the airport to welcome the Honorable President of India.

This is the first ever visit by an Indian President to Algeria and a visit at the level of the Head of State and Head of Government from India to Algeria after nearly four decades. This is the first incoming visit of a Head of State or Head of Government after President Tebboune assumed office in his second term. President of India is accompanied by Minister of State, Shri Sukanta Majumdar and Honorable Members of Parliament Shri Mukesh Kumar Dalal and Shri Atul Garg on this State visit, besides an official delegation.

Friends, to give you a bit of the context to this visit, India and Algeria share very warm and cordial relations. We supported each other's freedom movement and fight against colonialism. Both countries were part of and continue to be a part of the Non Aligned Movement and have been supportive of each other at bilateral and multilateral foras. Algeria is not only the largest country in Africa but it is also one of the largest economies in Africa and in the Arab world. It continues to grow economically. It is uniquely placed at the gateway of Africa and also Europe.

Between India and Algeria, there have been regular political level interactions. Recently our External Affairs Minister met the Foreign Minister of Algeria at New York. We have significant economic and commercial cooperation. Our bilateral trade touched around 3 billion in the year 2019 before the COVID pandemic struck. However, it is satisfactory that the trade has once again picked up and touched around 1.7 billion dollars last year. The visit of the Honorable President to Algeria is expected to provide the necessary momentum to this relationship.

Now let me inform you about the engagements that the Honorable President had during this visit. On the day of her arrival, that is on 13 October, the Honorable President addressed the members of the Indian community at Algiers in the evening at a reception which was hosted by our Ambassador in Algeria. Speaking at the event, she commended the Indian community's positive contribution to further promote people-to-people relations between the two countries. She said that the Indian community working in diverse projects in remote areas are in a true sense the ambassadors of India. She appreciated Indian community's contribution in enhancing India's position, prestige and standing abroad; and for acting as a bridge mediator, facilitator and advocacy group for taking forward India's interests in Algeria. The Honorable President wished the Indian community success and prosperity and expressed confidence that they would continue to work for the betterment of India-Algeria relations.

Now coming to the second day of her visit, which was on 14th of October, she started first at Maqam Echahid, where the honorable President placed a wreath at the memorial in honor of the martyrs of Algeria's liberation movement. She was given a guided tour of the National Moudjahid Museum, displaying the sacrifices of Algerian nationals during their freedom struggle.

Thereafter, the honorable President travelled to the El Mouradia Palace for a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the President of Algeria. She was given a ceremonial guard of honor at the palace. Both the leaders then had a bilateral meeting, which was very cordial and positive. They discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, regional and international issues of mutual interest. There was greater appreciation of each other's positions and convergence of views.

After this bilateral tete-a-tete between both the Presidents, there was a delegation level talks. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen and deepen India-Algeria bilateral relations across the political, economic and commercial, as well as the people-to-people relations. Both sides expressed their keenness to engage in all areas of mutual cooperation and to take the partnership to a new level. The honorable President has invited the President of Algeria, His Excellency Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to pay a visit to India, which has been graciously accepted. Thereafter, both the Presidents addressed the media on the outcome of their meeting. This was followed by a banquet hosted by President Tebboune at the People's Palace of Algeria in the honor of President of India.

In the afternoon, the honorable President addressed India-Algeria Economic Forum, which was co-hosted by the Algerian Economic Renewal Council and our Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FICCI. The Minister of Trade and Export Promotion of People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr. Tayeb Zitouni and several other Ministers, several business persons, champions of industry from Algeria, in addition to the business delegation from India, participated at this event. Speaking at this event, Honorable President called for reinforcing the ongoing cooperation in energy, construction, automobiles, fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, and also for identifying new trade and investment initiatives for a brighter future. The Honorable President encouraged Indian companies to remain engaged and invested in the opportunities that the Algerian economy offers. She highlighted the rapid strides India has made due to the political stability, policy predictability and reform-oriented economic agenda that has ushered in an ease of doing business and invited Algerian companies to join the Make in India and Make for the World initiatives. You can have an access to her entire speech on our website.

Thereafter, during the later part of the day, Honorable President received President of the Council of Nation of Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Salah Goudjil. They had discussions on the role of Parliaments of our two countries that they can play to further strengthen our bilateral relations.

Now I come to the engagements of today. The day started by the Honorable President of India paying floral tributes to former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, on the day of the occasion of his birth anniversary. Thereafter, the President visited the Science and Technology Pole at Sidi Abdullah. This institution is an example of India-Algeria collaboration constructed by one of the Indian companies, Shapoorji Pallonji, among others.

Addressing the students at the institution, the Honorable President highlighted the importance of education for human development, social upliftment and economic progress and call on the students to dedicate their pursuit of knowledge for national development missions. She highlighted the rapid and transformational strides in the field of education in India and how the New Education Policy of 2020 focuses on fostering innovation, critical thinking and entrepreneurship to prepare students for the future. The Honorable President was presented an honorary doctorate in political science by His Excellency Mr. Kamel Bidari, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Algeria.

After the receipt of the honorary doctorate, the Honorable President visited a sea water desalination project, the Roman ruins in Tipaza and a Mausoleum. At the Wilaya of Tipaza, the Governor of Tipaza, his Excellency Mr. Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Busta, hosted a lunch at his residence in the honor of the President.

Later in the day, the Honorable President inaugurated an India Corner at the Hamma Garden at Jardin d'essai by planting saplings of Indian species plants. The visit continues because after this, there will be a dinner which will be hosted in honor of the Honorable President by the Prime Minister of Algeria, His Excellency Mr. Nadir Larbaoui, here in this hotel itself. As you are aware, tomorrow the Honorable President will enplane for Mauritania for the second leg of the visit.

Friends, I conclude here by saying that this historic visit by our President not only reinforces the longstanding friendship between India and Algeria but also sets the stage for elevating our multi-faceted partnership with Algeria to a higher level and to a next phase. I am concluding here and would be very happy to take a few questions from you. Thank you.

Speaker: Good evening sir, I am [Inaudible]. [Inaudible] there is news in Algerian media that Algeria was not able to join BRICS because of the stand of India. [Inaudible] So, what is the stand of India on it and what are the chances that Algeria become a member in the next Summit?

Girish: Sir main Girish [Inaudible] news se. Sir, Algeria ka daura karne wali ye Bharat ki pahli Rastraadhyaksha hain, is yatra ka kya mahatva hai? Aur iska Bharat aur Algeria ke dwipakshiya sambandhon par kya prabhav padega?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Girish Linganna from [Inaudible] news. Sir, the President is the first Indian Head of State to visit Algeria. What is the significance of this visit? And what impact will it have on the bilateral relations between India and Algeria?

Amit: Sir, Amit Mukherjee from DD News? Sir, one of the main focus of this visit is on economic development between the two countries, in furthering economic ties. So, any tangible pact or agreement that has been reached, to explore certain new sectors that both of them discussed, that we talked about during the visit?

Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): BRICS pe aane se pahle main bilateral issues pe baat kar leta hoon, kyuki aapne pucha ki is visit ka mahatva kya hai. Jaise maine bataya abhi thodi der pahle ki ye hamare desh se Rashtrapati ji ka pehla visit hai, so ye sabse mahatvapurna baat isi mei hai. Aur dusri baat hai ki President Tebboune abhi apna dusra karyakaal shuru kiye hain, aur unke dusre karyakaal ke pahle high level visit agar hai, toh woh Bharatvarsh ke President ji ka hai. Toh ye apne aap mei agar Algeria ke side se dekhain toh ye bahot mahatvapurva visit hai, aur hamare side se dekhain toh ye bahot mahatvapurna visit hai. Aur is visit ke dauran jaise humne bataya saare dwipakshiya maslon par batchit hui hai aur chahe woh political masle ho, arthik masle ho, sabpe charcha hui aur sath sath mei jo ye Economic Forum ki meeting hui woh bhi apne aap mei ek bahot mahatvapurna baat hai aur usmei Algerian leadership aur hamare manniya Rashtrapati mahodaya ne bhi sabko address kiya.

So kal ki meeting mei ek nai shurwat hui hai, aur hamain aasha hai ki ye hamare economic cooperation ko kafi aage le jayega. Jo-jo kshetron mei hum log abhi maine bataya jisme batchit hui hai woh sab kshetra bahot hi mahatvapurna hain aur is saal hum dekh rahe hain jo vanijya ka figure hain woh abhi kafi aage badh raha hai aur hamain aasha hain ki jo figure hum log kabhi pahuch gaye the 2019 mei woh phir se pa payenge. Aur hum logon ne investment ki taraf bhi dhyan diya hai, toh koshish jari rahegi ki dwipakshiya investment bhi chalta rahe, Bharat se bhi aaye investments bhi yahan par, kafi companiya yahan kaam kar rahi hain already. Toh humain aasha hain ki Rashtrapati ji ke is aitihasik visit se dwipakshiya aarthik aur vanijyik samparkon ko kafi accha protsahan milega.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Before I speak on BRICS, let me first talk about the bilateral issues, since you asked about the significance of this visit. As I mentioned a little while ago, this is the first visit by the President of our country, and that in itself is the most important aspect. The second point is that President Tebboune has just begun his second term, and the first high-level visit during his second term is by the President of India. So, from Algeria's perspective, this is a very significant visit, and from our side as well, it holds great importance. During this visit, as I mentioned, discussions have taken place on all bilateral issues, whether political issues or economic issues. Also, the Economic Forum meeting that took place is also a very important aspect, and both the Algerian leadership and our Honorable President addressed that meeting.

So, yesterday's meeting marked a new beginning, and we hope that it will significantly advance our economic cooperation. The sectors I mentioned earlier, in which discussions took place, are all very important. This year, we are witnessing considerable growth in trade figures, and we hope that we can soon reach the figures we had achieved in 2019. We have also focused on investments, so efforts will continue to ensure bilateral investments, with investments coming here from India as well. Various companies are already working here. Therefore, we hope that this historic visit by the President will provide a strong boost to our bilateral economic and trade relations.

The economic things that we talked about, we did not sign any pacts as such, but there is a desire in fact in both the countries and between both the business communities that there is a huge untapped potential that can be exploited by both the sides and that has actually given the momentum. This visit is expected to give the real momentum to the trade and economic cooperation as such, plus we are looking at greater people to people relationship and the cultural contacts between the two countries. So this is something which this visit is expected to take it further and gradually, we will be able to see as we will have greater exchanges between the two countries.

Madam, coming to the issue of BRICS, as you know, the expansion of BRICS is a process which has started and it is going on. At this moment, the BRICS Summit is expected to take place in a few days. So, if the matter of whether Algeria's membership issue will come up or not in the due course of time, that we will come to know once the BRICS process starts. And definitely India supports Algeria's entry into BRICS. So, this will happen only, provided the issue of membership comes up at the Kazan Summit which will take place in the coming days. So, it is a process. So we will see how it happens and how it progresses.

Tanmay: Good evening sir, Tanmay from ANI. Sir, there seems to be tussle between Algeria and Morocco on the issue of Western Sahara. How does India looking to balance its bilateral relations with Algeria and Morocco?

Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): See, India supports mutually acceptable solutions to the Western Sahara issues in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions. India also supports the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara and his efforts to advance the process. We hope that his efforts will result in resumption of the dialogue between all concerned parties and the ultimate resolution of the question of Western Sahara. India has very good relations with both Morocco and Algeria and we remain committed to tap the full potential of bilateral relations between both our countries. So that's the stand that we have taken and we take.

Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): I see no more requests for questions. So with your permission sir, I now conclude this Special Media Briefing. Thank you sir and thank you everyone.