NEW DELHI: India & Tunisia, on Wednesday, signed a memorandum of understanding on the creation of a Tunisian-Indian centre for innovation in information and communication technologies in the North African country. The two sides also discussed fourth edition of India-Africa Summit, scheduled for September 2020 in India. The third edition of the Summit was held here in 2015.The memorandum was signed after a meeting between acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabri Bachtobji and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar The meeting discussed “the different aspects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation as well as several issues of regional and international issues of common interest.Both ministers highlighted the need to continue consultations to ensure the success of the next India-Africa Summit, scheduled for September 2020.They commended “the development of the Tunisian-Indian relations which have been strengthened through exchanging visits by senior officials and organising regular sessions of the Joint Commission,” said an official statement.Emphasis was placed on the need to prepare for the 13th session of the Tunisian-Indian Joint Commission and bolster cooperation in the fields of information and communication technology, scientific research and agriculture.Receiving Minister of External Affairs of India at Carthage Palace on Wednesday, Kais Saied expressed Tunisia's readiness, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, to strengthen dialogue with India on all issues relating to peace and security in the world.The Tunisian Head of State noted on this occasion that the principles of democracy, freedom and justice shared by the two countries enable them to play an effective role on the international scene to defend just causes, first and foremost the Palestinian cause and the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish a State in accordance with the resolutions of international legality.Kais Saied also recalled the historic relations binding the two countries, commending the constant development of cooperation relations, stressing the importance of the forthcoming session of the Joint Commission, a statement of the Presidency of the Republic reads.In this connection, he stressed the importance of the establishment of several Indian companies in Tunisia, expressing Tunisia's willingness to take greater advantage of the immense potential of the Indian economy in order to promote bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly information and communication technology, scientific research and agriculture.For his part, the Indian Minister of External Affairs praised the democratic experience in Tunisia, expressing his country's readiness to further diversify the areas of cooperation between the two countries and to take advantage of the opportunities offered in terms of investment and partnership. He also voiced his country’s will to draw up a roadmap setting out the priorities for bilateral cooperation.On another level, the Indian Minister of External Affairs asserted India's position of principle for defending the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 23, 2020 05:03 UTC