India, Congo discuss priority areas for future

Consolidating India's warm and friendly bilateral relations with Congo, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Friday welcomed Congo Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu to India.

Both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and discussed priority areas for future cooperation.

Swaraj and Okitundu discussed steps to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, specifically in trade and investment, development efforts in Congo under a Line of Credit (LOC), capacity building and collaboration in regional and multilateral platforms.

They also expressed satisfaction over the close and friendly relations between the two countries.

Vice Prime Minister Okitundu handed over a letter from Congo's President Joseph Kabila Kabange inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Congo.

He also extended an invitation to EAM Swaraj for the visit to the Central African nation.

Vice PM Okitundu expressed appreciation for India's support for Congo's economic development.

The EAM conveyed India's continuing support for developmental partnership including Lines of Credit (LOC) and capacity building in Congo.

Vice PM Okitundu expressed desire for stepping up cooperation in areas such as mining, education and electoral processes.

Vice PM Okitundu thanked India for its contribution of troops to UN peace-keeping operations in Congo.

Okitundu's two-day visit to India culminated today.

Both sides agreed to explore holding the bilateral Joint Commission Meeting in early 2018.

India was among the first countries to open a diplomatic mission in Kinshasa city in 1962.