Indian foreign minister starts visit to Algeria

Developments in the Middle East are expected to figure prominently during talks the Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh will have with Algerian official on his three-day official visit to that country from October 23, says Indian news agency "PTI."

According to PTI, Singh will review with Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutefilka, the prime minister and the foreign minister a wide range of regional, international and issues of mutual concern.

Singh will also be briefed on the Arab Summit held over the week-end in Cairo.

A foreign office spokesman told reporters there was close identity of views of the two countries on virtually all issues of mutual concern.

Indo-Algerian bilateral trade is worth $ 25 million dollars with India having a positive balance of five million dollars. Indian exports to Algeria include coffee, machinery and instruments, man-made yarn fabrics, cotton yarn fabrics and handicrafts while imports include non-ferrous metals, transport equipment, iron and steel and organic and inorganic chemicals.

The two countries will explore news areas where cooperation can be substantially intensified.