Indian Ambassador to Tunisia Reaffirms Historical and Bilateral Relations
The Indian Ambassador to Tunisia, Dr. Devyani Uttam Khobragade, reaffirmed on Monday, February 16, 2026, the importance of historical and bilateral relations between the two countries during a meeting with the President of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), Ibrahim Bouderbala, at the Bardo Palace. These relations are based on shared values, mutual respect, and deep cultural and civilizational ties.
Dr. Khobragade highlighted the strategic role of Tunisia as an African and Arab partner, expressing the desire to strengthen cooperation in various sectors and share India's experiences and successes. She cited, as an example, the collaboration between India and the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, illustrating the effectiveness of bilateral partnerships in the health sector.
The Ambassador also mentioned the second Arab-Indian Ministerial Forum, held last month in New Delhi, which was attended by a Tunisian representative to the Arab League. This forum allowed for discussions on strengthening democratic values, as well as international and regional issues.
In this context, she expressed India's willingness to revive the Tunisian-Indian joint commission, intensify delegation exchanges, and develop bilateral relations at the highest level. She invited the President of the Assembly and a Tunisian parliamentary delegation to visit India soon to deepen cooperation and strengthen institutional and economic ties.
Visa and Economic and Tourist Cooperation
The Ambassador also announced that India is currently working on abolishing visas for Tunisian citizens, a measure aimed at facilitating cooperation, particularly in the tourism and economic sectors. She called on both parties to carefully examine the modalities for implementing this initiative.
On another note, Dr. Khobragade reaffirmed India's support for the Palestinian cause, recalling that her country was one of the first non-Arab states to recognize the Palestinian state. She emphasized India's commitment to a two-state solution and its continued aid to the Palestinian people, particularly through the provision of humanitarian aid in the face of the blockade and human losses.
Read also: Towards a liberalization of visas between Tunisia and India?
