Kurdistan Region, India Eye Closer Ties in Technology, Banking, and Direct Flights
Importantly, the ambassador highlighted ongoing efforts to establish direct commercial flights between Erbil and cities in India—a move expected to boost trade, tourism, and educational exchanges.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday received India's newly appointed Ambassador to Iraq, Soumen Bagchi, to discuss strengthening bilateral ties across multiple sectors, including technology, governance, and direct air travel.
The meeting, which also included Madan Gopal, India’s Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, focused on expanding cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and India in a range of fields. Prime Minister Barzani congratulated Ambassador Bagchi on his new role and reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) full support for his mission.
Barzani stressed the importance of enhancing relations with India, particularly as both governments explore deeper ties in information technology, digital public services, and banking reform. He also thanked Consul General Gopal for his efforts and contributions as his diplomatic term in the region concludes.
Ambassador Bagchi praised the Kurdistan Region’s development progress and reiterated India’s desire to bolster its engagement with the region. He expressed India’s interest in supporting the KRG’s digitization initiatives and banking sector reforms, noting these areas as strategic entry points for collaboration.
Importantly, the ambassador highlighted ongoing efforts to establish direct commercial flights between Erbil and cities in India—a move expected to boost trade, tourism, and educational exchanges.
India has long maintained cordial ties with Iraq, and in recent years, its engagement with the Kurdistan Region has steadily grown, especially in business and education. Thousands of Indian nationals live and work in the Kurdistan Region, mainly in health care, construction, and the oil sectors. Establishing direct flights would mark a milestone in logistical connectivity and serve the growing demand for travel between both regions.
