As on 15 April 2026

Embassy of India
Algiers
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INDIA-ALGERIA RELATIONS

Diplomatic relations between India and Algeria were established in July 1962, the year Algeria gained independence from French colonial rule. Since then relations between the two countries have been cordial. India has supported the Algerian liberation movement since its inception. One of the primary forces behind the Algerian liberation struggle, the National Liberation Front (FLN), had its office in India in late 1950s and early 60s. After independence, both countries were part of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and shared developing country solidarity. Both countries have been supporting each other on issues at bilateral and multilateral levels.

Important bilateral visits

2. There have been several high level exchange of visits by the leaders of the two countries.

Visits to India

3. Presidents: (i) Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, April 1982; (ii) Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, 1983; (iii) Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, 1987; (iv) Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebration, 24-29 January 2001.

4. Recent Ministerial visits: (i) Mr. Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Domestic Trade and National Market Regulation participated in CII’s 29th edition of Partnership Summit in New Delhi in December 2024; and (ii) General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of Staff (COS) of the People's National Army of Algeria led 12-member delegation from 05-12 February 2025 to participate in Aero India 2025.

5. Parliamentary delegations: (i) 3-member delegation from Ministry of Relations with Parliament led by Mr. Fourali Hamid, Head of the Division of Cooperation and Studies, 18-23 November 2007; (ii) Two Young Parliamentarians in March 2013 under ‘Leaders of Future’ programme; and (iii) Mr. Ali Melaghsou, MP from the ruling party FLN, 8-15 March 2014 under ‘Leaders of Future’ programme.

Visits to Algeria

6. President(s): (i) Smt. Droupadi Murmu, 13-16 October 2024

7. Vice Presidents: (i) Dr. Zakir Hussain, June/July 1964; (ii) Dr. Mohammad Hidayatullah, 30 October-2 November 1979; (iii) Shri Hamid Ansari with spouse Smt. Salma Ansari, 17-19 October 2016

8. Prime Ministers: (i) Smt. Indira Gandhi, NAM Summit, September 1973 (ii) Shri Rajiv Gandhi, June 1985

9. Recent Ministerial visits: (i) Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, for 9th Session of India-Algeria Joint Commission Meeting and to represent India as the “Guest of Honour” at the 2015 Algiers International Fair, 25-26 May 2015; (ii) Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Agriculture, as Special Envoy of PM, 11-13 July 2015; and (iii) Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, visited Algeria from 15-17 September, 2021 and reviewed bilateral relations.

10. Parliamentary delegations: (i) 7-Member Parliamentary Goodwill delegation led by Dr. C. D. Pande, 14-18 December 1965; (ii) High level delegation led by Smt. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Member of Parliament, on the occasion of Fourth Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Algeria, 3-7 July 1966; (iii) Smt. Prashawati Gupte, Member of Parliament, 24 February-2 March 1986 to participate in 10th Anniversary of SADR; (iv) Shri Anand Sharma, Member of Parliament, 18-19 and 21-22 May 1988 to participate in the 15th Anniversary of Polisario; (v) 4-member Parliamentary delegation led by Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, 1-3 February 2002; and (vi) 7-member All-Party delegation led by Shri Baijayant Panda, Member of Parliament, 30 May-2 June 2025.

11. Visit of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Indian Armed Forces visited Algeria from 31 October to 3 November 2024 on the invitation of General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of Staff of the People's National Army of Algeria to participate in the 70th Anniversary of Algeria's War of Independence

12. Visit of Chief of the Army Staff: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff of India visited Algeria from 25-28 August 2025.

13. We have a Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) to comprehensively address bilateral cooperation. It was established by an agreement in 1981 to deal with bilateral issues and issues of common interest. The 9th JCM was held on 25-26 May 2015 in Algiers. It was headed by then Minister of Commerce and Industry from India Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman and then Algerian Minister of Transport Boudjema Talai. The 10th JCM is scheduled to be held in India at the level of Foreign Ministers. Functional requirements are covered by regular Foreign Office Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries. The 7th Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) were co-chaired by Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs, India and Mr. Lounes Magramane, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of Algeria, on 29 March 2026 in Algiers.

14. Bilateral trade: The trade in 2024-25 stands at USD 1.71 billion- with Indian exports amounting to USD 947.04 million & imports into India stood at USD 760.06 million. Major items exported from India to Algeria were rice, pharmaceutical products, polyethylene terephthalate, granite, iron & steel and boneless meat and from Algeria to India were Petroleum oils, LNG, natural calcium phosphates, saturated methanol and urea.

15. Indian companies in Algeria: The commercial relationship between India and Algeria has seen higher level of engagements in recent years. There are a number of Indian corporations operating in Algeria in both public and private sector. Sonalika has re-started production of tractors in Algeria. Prime Pharmaceuticals and BDR Pharmaceuticals have established joint ventures with Algerian companies for producing medicines. Shapoorji Pallonji International executed various construction works for the Algerian government such as housing projects, construction of hospitals, stadiums etc; Mahindra & Mahindra is providing technical support and transfer of know-how to Algerian partner ‘Eurl LID Azouaou’ in Tizi Ouzou Tractors’ Assembly Plant. Engineers India Limited is providing remote services to Algerian national oil and gas company Sonatrach; IRCON International Ltd. is executing a railway project for the Algerian railway company ANESRIF; Dodsal Engineering and Construction FZE executed a construction project of gas pipeline for Sonatrach; and Larsen & Toubro Limited also executed hydrocarbon projects for Sonatrach. Another branch, Larsen and Toubro Transmission, executed power transmission projects for the Algerian electricity company Sonelgaz. 

16. Trade related activities organised in Algeria: A 14-member multi-sectoral business delegation led by Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) visited Algeria on 7–10 February 2026. A 100-member delegation of 65 companies from Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) visited Algeria from 14-16 January 2026 and held B2B meetings with Algerian companies. An 8-member delegation from Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) came to Algeria from 4-10 September 2025 to visit the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF). On the sidelines, they had a B2B at the Embassy premises, in which 194 Algerian economic operators participated.

17. Indian participation in commercial events in Algeria: 

    • Embassy set up its pavilion in IATF 2025 from 4-10 September 2025 and food exhibition ‘Alimentario’, Mostaganem from 23-25 September 2025.

    • Indian millet products were displayed at the International Exhibition of Agriculture, Livestock and Agro Industry ‘SIPSA FILAHA’ in Algiers from 26-29 May 2025.

   • 8 members of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) participated in the 20th Equip Auto Algeria held in Algiers from March 30 to April 2, 2026. 

    • 9 Indian companies participated in the International Exhibition of Cosmetic Industry ‘Cosmetica’ from 21-24 January 2026 in Algiers. 

    • 64 Indian companies took part in the International Pharmaceutical Exhibition ‘Maghreb Pharma’ from 22 to 24 April 2025 in Algiers. 

    • 4 Indian companies participated in the International Textile Exhibition ‘Texstyle Expo’ from 21 to 23 April 2025 at SAFEX, Algiers.

18. Algerian participation in commercial events in India: 55 Algerian businessmen participated in various important trade fairs, conferences and seminars in India (April 2025-March 2026), which are:

    • Chem Expo India 2025, from 29-30 April 2025, Mumbai

    • Bharat Telecom 2025, from 6-7 April 2025, New Delhi

    • 73rd India International Garment Fair, from 1-3 July 2025, New Delhi

    • ACETECH 2025 Exhibition, from 4-7 December 2025, New Delhi

    • CII India Africa Business Conclave, from 27 to 29 August 2025, New Delhi

    • Global India Couture Week 2025, from 18-21 September 2025, Mumbai

    • ALUMEX INDIA-2025, from 10-13 September 2025, New Delhi

    • Poultry India Expo 2025, from 26-28 November 2025, Hyderabad

    • IHGF Delhi Fair (Autumn), from 13-17 October 2025, Delhi NCR

    • EIMA Agrimach India 2025, from 27-29 November 2025, New Delhi

    • India Energy Week 2026, from 27-30 January 2026, Goa

    • IHGF Delhi Trade Fair (Spring), from 14-18 February 2026, Delhi

Bilateral Agreements

19. India has signed the following MoUs/Agreements with Algeria: 

(i) MoU between All India Radio (AIR) and Algerian National Radio signed in 2015

(ii) MoU between Doordarshan and Algerian National Television signed in 2015

(iii) Space Cooperation Agreement signed between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) on 19 September 2018

(iv) Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders which came into effect on 01 October 2021

(v) Agreement for cooperation in the Military field signed on 3 November 2024

Cultural

20. The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated on 21 June 2025 at the iconic French garden of Jardin d’essai du Hamma. This is the fourth time that IDY was organised at a well known public space. More than 400 yoga enthusiasts, of all ages and from different walks of life participated in the event.

Space Cooperation

21. India and Algeria have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of space sciences, technologies and application on 19 September, 2018. The Agreement has been ratified by both the sides and has come into force. This was signed during the visit of Director General of the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) to ISRO headquarters, Bengaluru. During the visit Director General, ASAL had interactions with ISRO officials regarding specific areas of cooperation like crop forecasting application using satellite imagery; methodology for solar energy assessment; Bhuvan platform for Algeria; and disaster management systems. Earlier, India launched four satellites [3 micro (ALSAT-1B, ALSAT-2B and ALSAT-1N) and 1 nano] for Algeria on 26 September 2016, under a commercial arrangement by Indian launch vehicle PSLV C-35 from Sriharikota.

Indian Community

22. There are currently 4052 Indians working in various projects and establishments in the country, many of them technically skilled persons working on projects in remote areas. A large number of workers are semi-skilled and work as masons, carpenters, painters and welders. There are 28 Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)/Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) Card holders and 14 Indian students in Algeria. 

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