By IANS,
New Delhi : An Iraqi parliamentary delegation headed by the speaker of the Iraqi parliament is visiting India to hold talks on reconstruction efforts in that country ravaged by years of war.
The delegation led by Osama Al-Nujaefi, president of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, is visiting India from Dec 15-20 on the invitation of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, said a statement from the Iraqi embassy.
The Iraqi team will meet with Indian ministers and senior government officials and discuss bilateral ties.
AL-Nujaefi will address the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at Sapru House on Dec 20, the statement said.
The visit follows several friendly visits by Iraqi dignitaries to India, including that of the deputy prime minister and of the ministers of trade, environment and oil. The visits have helped to enhance mutual understanding, and in promoting the historical warm ties between the two countries, the statement said.
The Iraqi delegation will also witness a session of the current winter session of the Lok Sabha.
The Iraqi government is exploring higher investment to speed up reconstruction programmes in Iraq, especially in infrastructure.
Many Indian companies are helping in reconstruction projects in Iraq, a major supplier of crude oil to India. More than 2,000 Iraqi students are studying in different universities in India and thousands of Indians pilgrims visit Iraq yearly.