President Farole’s visit to India opens new chapter in bilateral ties

[kingofkings]

The President of Puntland State of Somalia H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) and a delegation reached New Delhi, India, on Sunday morning (13.05.12)

 

The President’s delegation, which includes Interior Minister H.E. Abdullahi Ahmed Jama (Ilkajir), flew from Puntland capital Garowe on Friday(11.05.12) en route to New Delhi after receiving an official invite from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

 

President Farole and the Puntland delegation was welcomed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi by officials from Somali Embassy led by Ambassador Ebyan M. Salah and officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

 

India ,the seventh-largest country , the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people and of the most economically growing countries in the world have had rough and tough relation with Somalia since 1977 when Ethiopia and Somalia fought.

 

The president has received a high profile welcome from Indian Government and had a meeting with top Indian officials on the issues of Piracy, Security and relationship between the two sides.

 

Puntland shares a maritime interests with India , and piracy and kidnapping people for ransom has simultaneously affected both sides.

 

Talking to media people at the Indian council for World affairs , Puntland president said he always supports the military operations to fight piracy , but he denounced to offer a base for a foreign country in Puntland Soil.

 

Though Somali pirates are currently holding over 60 Indian sailors as hostage, Puntland praised it self that Puntland is free from Pirates .

 

Though there were no ship held hostage in Puntland as of now, Farole admitted that pirates did escape into their territory “sometimes” from neighbouring areas when the government forces fight them on land.

“We are fighting them on the land, but we do not have support from the sea. We do not have the means to reach them in the sea. International forces off the shore do not want to hurt them because they are afraid the hostage may be hurt and that doesn’t work (in the anti-piracy fight),” he said.

 

The two sides Puntland and India have also discusses about trade relation and diplomatic ties between them.

 

Puntland have also requested India to help training facilities particularly for the Puntland army , police and sea guards.

 

Meanwhile Puntland president and his delegation met Somali Students in the capital of India , New Delhi , where president asked questions pertaining to their education and their live. While Somalia’s India ambassador, Ebyan M. Saleh briefed the president and his delegation about Somali community in India.

[kingofkings]

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