Tunisia make special efforts to promote Mahatma Gandhi

NEW DELHI: North African state of Tunisia is making special efforts to promote Indian soft power with emphasis on Mahatma Gandhi.

Abderahmen Boukhari, a famous Tunisian singer has made special efforts to promote vaishnava janato. This was a project under 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi celebrations in Tunisia. The singer has visited India under MEA's ITEC program.

Boukhari's efforts to promote Mahatma Gandhi was also lauded by PM Narendra Modi.


Boukhari has a organisation ‘Art and democratie’ and he collaborates with the Embassy of India in Tunis for the promotion of culture . He has also performed at Indian national day reception in Tunis.

Tunisia also released new postage stamps by Tunis Post on the occasion of the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi 150 Anniversary.

India has traditionally maintained cordial and friendly relations with Tunisia since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958. The first resident Indian Mission at the level of Cd’A was established in Tunisia in 1963 and raised to the Ambassador level in 1976. The Tunisian Embassy in New Delhi was set up in 1981. Tunisian leaders have expressed admiration for India’s democracy and its leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit. Nehru; the state that India’s freedom struggle has served as an inspiration for Tunisia.

Tunisia has been a reliable source for phosphates. India accounts for around 50% of Tunisia’s global phosphoric acid exports. India, on the other hand, exports a wide range of products. Significant among them are Knocked-Down Kits, Automobiles, Electrical Items, Cotton, Mechanical Engines, Organic Chemical Products, Rubber, Rice, Coffee/Spices etc. The annual bilateral trade during 2015 was worth $ 34.25 million.

Tunisia-India Fertilizer SA (TIFERT) is a joint venture company, worth US$450 million with a capacity to produce 360,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid per annum, which was made operational in 2013. Two Indian companies, Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd and the Gujarat State Fertilizers Ltd, own 30% equity in the company.