New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) India and Iraq Friday agreed to turn their energy trading cooperation into a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his visiting Iraqi counterpart Nouri al Maliki held talks and the two sides inked four agreements.
Manmohan Singh said the visit would impart “new dynamism” to their ties.
Iraq is the second highest supplier of crude to India, said the prime minister, noting it supplies more than 12 percent of India’s oil.
He said India would also help in reconstruction of the country hit by years of war.
Maliki assured Indian companies of protection if they come to his country.
Maliki’s visit is the first high-level bilateral visit between the two countries after 38 years.
