SHRI
RAM NAIK TO LEAD INDIAN DELEGATION TO IRAQ
The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri
Ram Naik, is leading a high level delegation for the forthcoming
Indo-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting in Baghdad.
The Joint Commission will meet on 6th
and 7th July, 2002 to hold talks for identifying new
areas of co-operation between India and Iraq. It will also focus
on consolidating the relations in areas identified and agreed
in earlier rounds of the Joint Commission Meetings. It may be
recalled that the last meeting of Indo-Iraq Joint Commission was
held in New Delhi in November 2000 wherein a contract was signed
awarding exploration block No. 8 in Iraq to ONGC Videsh Limited
(OVL). It was also agreed to exchange cooperation in rebuilding
and modernisation of Iraqi downstream petroleum installations,
exchange of visits of scientists and strengthening ties under
trade, cultural exchange programmes etc.
The high level delegation led by Shri Naik comprises
Shri R. M. Abhyankar, Special Secretary (East), Ministry of External
Affairs, Shri Rajeet Mitter, Joint Secretary (Gulf), Ministry
of External Affairs, Shri J.M. Mauskar, Joint Secretary in the
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri M.V.P.C. Sastry,
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri
R.T. Pandey, Director (Economic Affairs), Ministry of Finance
and Shri Atul Chandra, Managing Director, OVL. The delegation
leaves India on 4th July and will return on 9th
July.
