India and Iraq have acknowledged the grave threat posed by international terrorism and its sponsors to international peace and security as also the very architecture of nation state. <br/><br/>Both sides conveyed strong support to each other in their common fight against the menace of terrorism. <br/>The Minister of State for External Affairs M.J.Akbar who is on a 3-day visit to Iraq, held discussions with top Iraqi leadership. <br/><br/>During the meeting, the Minister expressed India's support for the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and conveyed its abiding commitment to the emergence of a stable, peaceful, united and democratic Iraq. <br/><br/>The Minister sought Iraq's assistance to trace the whereabouts and safe release of the abducted 39 Indians. The Iraqi leadership assured of full cooperation and support in the matter.<br/>The two sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral engagement, including economic, trade, investment, energy security, defence, security and counter terrorism. <br/><br/>The Minister conveyed India's willingness to partner in the reconstruction of Iraq as also for continued assistance through capacity-building programmes under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation – ITEC.<br/><br/>During the visit, the Minister met the top leadership of Iraq, including President Dr. Fuad Masum, President of the Council of Representatives Dr. Salim al-Jabouri, Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Eshaiqer Al-Jaafari, and National Security Advisor.