Algiers, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A warm ceremonial welcome with the powerful 'Baroud dance', a thunderous celebratory display of rifles, rhythm, and cultural pride, was given to Indian Ambassador Swati Vijay Kulkarni as she visited Laghuat, a town considered the 'gateway to the desert', 400 kms away from the country's capital Algiers.
"The Baroud Dance is an important part of Algerian cultural heritage. It echoes traditional Indian martial and sword dances like Chholiya, Getka, and Naga war dances that are also rooted in battle preparations, community rituals to celebrate bravery, regional identity, and shared joy," the Embassy of India in Algiers posted on X along with videos of the grand welcome given to the Indian Ambassador.
"The Ambassador thanked Dr. Mohamed Benmalek, Hon'ble Wali (Governor) of Laghouat for this grand welcome," the Indian Embassy added.
India and Algeria share cordial relations with cooperation in several fields including strategic areas like oil and gas, defence, and space cooperation.
Taking into consideration the current bilateral trade at USD 1.7 billion, both countries have emphasised the scope for significant expansion. In this regard, they have identified pharmaceuticals, higher education, energy, mining, fertilizer, agriculture as potential areas of cooperation.
On March 29, Algiers hosted the 7th Foreign Office Consultations between both countries, co-chaired by Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Lounes Magramane, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, of Algeria.
Both delegations had expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation while emphasising the importance of continued high-level interaction. They also agreed to explore new avenues of cooperation to further strengthen this partnership and underlined the impetus provided by the maiden and historic State Visit by President Droupadi Murmu to Algeria in October 2024.
"Both sides comprehensively reviewed bilateral relations including political, trade and investment, capacity building, tourism, cultural cooperation and people-to-people linkages, in the spirit of South-South cooperation. Human resource development was identified as an important pillar of this partnership," read a statement issued after the meeting.
It added that both countries also agreed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and in this regard, Algeria welcomed the formation of the India-Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group in Indian Parliament.
"Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, both sides agreed to work together to fight this menace. India appreciated the warm welcome accorded to the All Party Parliamentary delegation from India following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They expressed happiness at the steadily expanding trade and investment linkages between India and Algeria," the statement added.
During her visit to Algeria, MEA's Secretary (South) had also called on Mohamed Arkab, Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in hydrocarbon, phosphate, mining and geology sectors and diversifying India's energy sources. She also met Wali (Governor) of Constantine, an Algerian city famous for its pharmaceutical industries, higher education and tourist attractions. The exchanges included exploring potential collaboration in these sectors.
Source: IANS
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