Iraq, India keen to boost bilateral ties

Amman, Sept. 2. (DPA): Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has received a message from Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee expressing New Delhi's desire to boosting bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic and trade spheres, the official Iraq News Agency (INA) reported today.

The letter was relayed to Saddam Hussein late Saturday by the Deputy Speaker of the Indian Upper House of Parliament, Najma Heptullah, who is currently on a visit to Iraq heading an 80- member delegation of lawmakers, businessmen and politicians, INA said.

(Reuters photo shows Iraqi President Saddam Hussein reading a letter from the Indian Prime Minister at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.)

``We are satisfied with the developing ties with India and ready to upgrade them so that they can serve the interests of the two countries,'' INA quoted the Iraqi President as telling the Indian guests.

Heptullah and other delegation members held talks with several Iraqi Ministers and senior officials on the prospects of forging stronger cooperation between sanctions-stricken Iraq, the State- run Iraqi media said.

The Indian delegation has reportedly been directed by Vajpayee to ensure for Indian exporters a larger share in the Iraqi contracts concluded under the provisions of the United Nations oil-for-food programme.

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