India pledges support to Iraq government in fight against ISIS

NEW DELHI: India strongly supports Iraq's territorial integrity and its government's efforts to "overcome the current crisis", President Pranab Mukherjee said amid a war that country is engaged in against ISIS terror group.

In a message to his counterpart Fuad Masum on the eve of National Day of Iraq, Mukherjee said India deeply values its close and friendly relations with that country, which are rooted in ancient trade and cultural links and people-to-people contacts.

"India strongly supports the Iraqi people and Government in their efforts to overcome the current crisis, uphold national sovereignty and preserve their territorial integrity," he said in the message.

Iraq is facing a crisis as it is fighting a war against ISIS which controls some central western and western provinces. There have been attempts by the group to target places in the capital Baghdad.

"We are confident that with the strong commitment of both our great nations, these ties will be further strengthened as we broaden our bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries," the President said.