This article covers the diplomatic relationship between India and Algeria: the establishment of relations, visits by leaders, ministers and parliamentarians, the Joint Commission and Foreign Office Consultations, and the agreements signed between the two countries. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026, which is stated to be current as on 10 April 2026.

Establishment of relations

Diplomatic relations between India and Algeria were established in July 1962, the year Algeria gained independence from French colonial rule. According to the MEA brief of April 2026, relations between the two countries have been cordial since then.

The brief states that India supported the Algerian liberation movement from its inception. The National Liberation Front (FLN), one of the primary forces behind the Algerian liberation struggle, had its office in India in the late 1950s and early 60s.

After independence, both countries were part of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and shared developing country solidarity. The brief records that they have supported each other on issues at bilateral and multilateral levels.

Visits to India

Algerian Presidents visited India on four occasions listed in the brief:

  • Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, April 1982
  • Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, 1983
  • Mr. Chadli Bendjedid, 1987
  • Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebration, 24-29 January 2001

Recent ministerial visits to India include that of Mr. Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Domestic Trade and National Market Regulation, described in the trade article, and a defence delegation to Aero India 2025, described in the cooperation article.

Algerian parliamentary delegations to India listed in the brief are:

  • a 3-member delegation from the Ministry of Relations with Parliament, led by Mr. Fourali Hamid, Head of the Division of Cooperation and Studies, 18-23 November 2007
  • two Young Parliamentarians in March 2013, under the 'Leaders of Future' programme
  • Mr. Ali Melaghsou, MP from the ruling party FLN, 8-15 March 2014, under the 'Leaders of Future' programme

Visits to Algeria

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu visited Algeria from 13-16 October 2024. Earlier visits at the highest levels listed in the brief are:

  • Vice President Dr. Zakir Hussain, June/July 1964
  • Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, for the NAM Summit, September 1973
  • Vice President Dr. Mohammad Hidayatullah, 30 October-2 November 1979
  • Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi, June 1985
  • Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari, with his spouse Smt. Salma Ansari, 17-19 October 2016

Recent ministerial visits to Algeria include:

  • Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, 25-26 May 2015, for the 9th Session of the India-Algeria Joint Commission Meeting and to represent India as the "Guest of Honour" at the 2015 Algiers International Fair
  • Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Agriculture, as Special Envoy of PM, 11-13 July 2015
  • Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, 15-17 September 2021, who reviewed bilateral relations

Indian parliamentary delegations to Algeria are listed in the cooperation article.

Joint Commission and Foreign Office Consultations

The Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) was established by an agreement in 1981 to address bilateral cooperation and issues of common interest. The 9th JCM was held on 25-26 May 2015 in Algiers, headed by the then Minister of Commerce and Industry from India, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, and the then Algerian Minister of Transport, Boudjema Talai. As of the brief, the 10th JCM was scheduled to be held in India at the level of Foreign Ministers.

Functional requirements are covered by regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) between the two foreign ministries. The 7th FOCs were co-chaired on 29 March 2026 in Algiers by Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs, India and Mr. Lounes Magramane, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of Algeria.

Bilateral agreements

The brief lists the following agreements signed by India with Algeria:

  • MoU between AIR and Algerian National Radio, 2015
  • MoU between Doordarshan and Algerian National Television, 2015
  • Space Cooperation Agreement between ISRO and the Algerian Space Agency, signed on 19 September 2018 at Bangalore
  • Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders, in effect from 01 October 2021
  • Agreement for cooperation in the Military field, signed on 3 November 2024

Details of the space, defence and visa arrangements are given in the cooperation article and the practical guide.