Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Iraqs Foreign Minister for the last 10 years Hoshyar Zebari,59,says Indian companies can develop oil refineries in his country,help in IT,agriculture,infrastructure and education. A Kurd from Aqrah,Zebari holds a masters degree in sociology from the University of Essex,UK,and studied political science in Jordan. He spoke to Shubhajit Roy.
What are your takeaways from External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshids visit?
Our relations go back to centuries. We share many things in common. This is the beginning of a new era. There are many opportunities.
What are the kind of opportunities?
We are a very rich and a very resourceful country. We can sell you more oil. (Laughs)
Will you allow India to develop your refineries and other upstream facilities?
Yes,of course. They can develop our refineries,can participate in our oil fields.
What are the other areas of opportunities?
Indias expertise in Information Technology is excellent. Your country has expertise in agriculture,infrastructure and textiles.
Dont you think India has come quite late to help you in these areas? An Indian External Affairs Minister has taken 23 years to come to Baghdad.
Let us not look at the past,but at the future.
What role can India play,since you have already got help from so many other countries?
After the war,there are many gaps in various areas gaps in infrastructure,digital gaps,educational gaps. India can play a big role in all these areas.
There is a perception that Indian companies lose out to Western,Chinese or Korean ones in Iraq?
I can assure you that there is no differentiation or discrimination with Indian companies.
Would you like to visit India?
It is my earnest desire to visit India.
