Press release
The 6th Session of the India–Tunisia Foreign Office Consultations was held in Tunis on 27 March 2026. The session was co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, and H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad of the Republic of Tunisia.
The consultations took place in a warm and constructive atmosphere, reaffirming the strong and historic bilateral relationship between India and Tunisia, deeply rooted in shared democratic values, mutual respect, and longstanding friendship.
Both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties, including political engagement, high-level visits, trade and economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
The two sides also reaffirmed their close cooperation and mutual support at the United Nations and other multilateral fora. They exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including India-Arab and India-Africa cooepration forums, as well as security and counter-terrorism and the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Both sides called for immediate de-escalation, peaceful dialogue, and protection of civilians.
The Indian side reiterated its consistent and principled support for the Palestinian cause, highlighting its early recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization and its continued advocacy for a just, peaceful, and lasting two-state solution.
Both sides noted that bilateral trade remains below its potential and requires focused efforts to expand and diversify. They emphasized the importance of the TIFERT fertilizer joint venture as a key pillar of economic partnership and agreed to further expand cooperation in emerging areas such as phosphate export, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, solar energy, green hydrogen, and other sectors of mutual interest.
Both sides also underscored the significance of upcoming high-level interactions, including the next session of the India-Tunisia Joint Commission Meeting, in advancing bilateral political and economic cooperation and unlocking new opportunities.
During her visit to Tunisia, H.E. Dr. Neena Malhotra also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad of Tunisia. She briefed the Foreign Minister on the forthcoming 4th Session of the India–Africa Forum Summit, to be held in India on 30–31 May 2026, and extended an invitation to President Kais Saied to attend this important event. She also handed over an invitation to the Foreign Minister from his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, inviting him to visit India in May–June 2026 to co-chair the next session of the Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the bilateral political consultations and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the positive momentum in India–Tunisia relations.
