Khartoum (Sudan), March 29 (PTI):
India underlined that the issues of the Arab world occupy a prominent place in its foreign policy priorities and that it was ready to expand the scope of cooperation with these countries for mutual benefit.
In a message to the 18th Summit of the League of Arab states, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India attaches great significance to its long-standing and close relations with the Arab people.
"Arab issues occupy a prominent place in India's foreign policy priorities and India has extended principled and consistent support to causes dear to the Arab world," he said in the message read out by Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed.
Expressing happiness over regular high-level interaction and dialogue in all fields between India and the Arab countries, Singh said the Arab world is home to millions of Indians and is a rapidly growing trade and economic partner.
"We are happy to share our experience and strengths in IT, education, health and other sectors with our Arab brothers, and remain ready to expand the scope of our cooperation for mutual benefit," the Prime Minister said.
Ahamed invited investments from these countries and sought "more structured cooperation" particularly in areas relating to trade, economy and development issues.
He said India wanted to enhance contacts and interaction not only at the state and government levels, but equally between private sectors and people-to-people contacts.
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