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As on 11 June 2025

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

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

Visits to India

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

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

  2. 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

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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 (COS) of the People's National Army of Algeria to participate in the 70th Anniversary of Algeria's War of Independence.

  7. 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 6th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) was held on 14–15 November 2018 in Algiers between Director General (Asia-Oceania), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria and Joint Secretary (WANA), Ministry of External Affairs of India.

Bilateral trade

  1. The trade in 2024-25 stands at US$ 1.71 billion- with Indian exports amounting to US$ 947.04 million & imports into India stood at US$ 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.
 

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Indian exports (in Million)

1299

968

732

935

613

848.16

947.04

Algerian exports (in Million)

1622

1520

657

625

1500

885.54

760.06

Total (in Billion)

2.921

2.488

1.389

1.56

2.113

1.734

1.71

Indian companies in Algeria

  1. 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. 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 is also executing hydrocarbon projects for Sonatrach. Another branch, Larsen and Toubro Transmission, is executing power transmission projects for the Algerian electricity company Sonelgaz. Ajanta Pharma Limited collaborated with Societe Algeriene de Cardiologie et de Chirurgie Cardio Vasculaire to conduct ACME for Cardiologists of Franco Africa in Algeria in October 2023 bringing together 130 cardiologists from Sub Saharan countries. Apollo Hospitals Group organised an interactive session of cardiology for Algerian Cardiology Society in Algiers on 3 May 2024.


Participation in recent commercial events

  1. 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. 14 Indian companies took part in the International Exhibition of ‘Printpack & Plast’ from 24 to 26 February 2025 at SAFEX, Algiers. One Indian company took part in the International Exhibition of Automobile Spare Parts ‘Equip Auto’ from 17 to 20 February 2025 at SAFEX, Algiers. 10 Indian companies participated in the International Exhibition of Cosmetic Industry ‘Cosmetica’ from 22 to 25 January 2025 at SAFEX, Algiers. Apollo Hospital and Marlin Medical Assistance from India participated in International Congress of Medical Tourism exhibition from 16-18 September 2024 in Algiers. One Indian company participated in the 55th edition of Algiers International Fair from 24 to 29 June 2024 at SAFEX, Algiers. Three Indian companies took part in the International Textile Exhibition ‘Texstyle Expo’ from 10-12 June 2024 at SAFEX, Algiers. One Indian company participated in the 23rd International Trourism Exhibition SITEV 2024 in Algiers on 2 June 2024. One Indian company participated in the International Exhibition of Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Agro Industry from 20 to 23 May 2024 at SAFEX, Algiers. President of Indian Technical Economic Trade Organisation (IETO) participated in the 10th edition of the Africa Investment and Trade Forum (AFIC10) in Algiers on 5 May 2024. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) participated in the 21st edition of the International Trade Show for Food Production ‘Djazagro’ from 22-25 April 2024 at SAFEX, Algiers with 32 Indian companies.

  2. 79 Algerian businessmen participated in various important trade fairs, conferences and seminars in India (March 2024-April 2025), which are:
  •  International Gem & Jewellery Show IGJS, from 12-14 April 2024, Jaipur
  •  18th IFJAS, from 24-26 June 2024, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR
  •  71st India International Garment Fair, from 25-27 June 2024, New Delhi
  •  AGM and Symposuim by ICOMOS ISC-Water Heritage, from 7-10 August 2024, Pune 
  •  International Exhibition For Pharma And Healthcare (iPHEX 2024), from 28-30 August 2024, Delhi NCR
  •  3rd World Food India 2024, from 19-22 September 2024, New Delhi 
  •  UP International Trade Show, from 25-29 September 2024, Greater Noida
  •  CPHI & PMEC India 2024, from 26-28 November 2024, Delhi NCR
  • 8th edition of IndusFood, from 8-11 January 2025, Greater Noida, India
  • India International Leather Fair IILF 2025, from 01-03 Feb 2025, Chennai Trade Centre
  • Bharat Tex 2025, from 14-17 February 2025, New Delhi
  • India Wood 2025 from 06-09 March 2025, Greater Noida
  • Chem Expo India 2025, from 29-30 April 2025, Mumbai
  • 25th edition of IndiaSoft 2025, from 19-21 March 2025, New Delhi

Bilateral Agreements

  1. India has signed the following agreements with Algeria:

(i) MoU between AIR and Algerian National Radio signed in the year 2015

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

(iii) Space Cooperation Agreement signed between (ISRO) India and (Algerian Space Agency) Algeria on 19th September 2018 at Bangalore

(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

  1. The 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated on 21 June 2024 at the iconic French garden of Jardin d’essai du Hamma. This is the third time that IDY was organised at a well known public space. More than 300 yoga enthusiasts, of all ages and from different walks of life participated in the event.

Space Cooperation

  1. 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

  1. 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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