India, Congo sign protocol on Foreign Office consultations

India and Congo have signed a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations as part of their efforts to expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Mr Basile Ikouebe, the Foreign Minister of Congo, accompanied by Ms Ikouebe and senior officials, was on a six-day official visit to India from March 13-18.

Mr Ikouebe met Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor yesterday for extensive discussions which covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations. An official press release from the Ministry of External Affairs said both sides identified specific areas for expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Congo assured India of its support for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2011-12.

The two Ministers signed the protocol on foreign office consultations. The two sides also agreed to speed up formalities for concluding several other institutional mechanisms for bilateral cooperation.

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