India, Tunisia sign traditional handicraft, digital economy agreements

Seeking to inject fresh momentum in bilateral ties, Vice President Hamid Ansari on Thursday met Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid and discussed a range of issues of mutual and regional interests.

Two agreements -- one on traditional handicraft promotion and other on IT and Digital economy -- were signed after Ansari and Essid held one-on-one talks which was followed by the delegation-level talks between the two sides.

India will train 350 Tunisian students in next five years and the two sides will promote each other's traditional handicraft as per the agreements.

Earlier, Ansari, accompanied by his wife Salma, arrived today in Tunisia from Morocco on the final leg of his two- nation trip. He was received at the airport by Essid.

The Vice President will also visit Zaitouna Mosque, Bardo Museum and the House of Representatives.

Zaitouna Mosque is the oldest one in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and covers an area of 5,000 square metres. It has 160 authentic columns brought originally from the ruins of the old city of Carthage.

Ansari will meet President Beji Caid Essebsi tomorrow and deliver a keynote address at Dar Al Dhiyafa.