Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

The 5th round of India-Tunisia Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held on 17 May 2023 in Tunis. The consultations were co-chaired by Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV & OIA) and H.E. Mr. Mounir Ben Rjiba, Secretary of State for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad. The last round of FOC had taken place virtually in April 2021.

2. During the 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. There was a discussion on holding the next round of Joint Commission Meeting. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including situation in Libya, Sudan, developments in the MENA region, cooperation in multilateral fora, etc.

3. During the visit, Secretary (CPV & OIA) called on H.E. Ms. Hayet Ketat Kermazi, Minister of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia and also signed bilateral ‘Cultural Exchange Programme’ for the period 2023-2026. He also met with Mr. Ridha Chalghaoun, Director General of GCT, a PSU under Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Energy & Mines. GCT is a partner in India-Tunisia Fertilizer S.A. (TIFERT), which is in operation since 2013. The discussion centred around ways to further enhance production of phosphatic fertilizers in the plant and sustained supplies of its products to India.

4. Secretary (CPV & OIA) also interacted with members of the Indian community at an event organized by the Mission.

5. 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.

New Delhi
May 18, 2023