On Wednesday, the Undersecretary of the Libyan Foreign Ministry, Omar Ketti met with the Indian Ambassador to Libya, Ngulkham Jathom Gangte. They discussed facilitating the return of Indian companies to Libya.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of returning the Indian Embassy from Tunisia to Tripoli. They agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of international organizations, nominations for positions in international organizations, and many issues of common concern.
During the meeting, the Ambassador affirmed his support for holding elections in Libya as soon as possible, in order to promote stability in the country.
In November, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj said that “the situation in Libya continues to be of concern to us.” She added that India “remains committed to supporting Libya, and the Libyan people in their endeavour to seek lasting peace and stability.”
The Ambassador extended India’s support to Libya, saying, “We also need to send a clear message that violence in any form is condemnable, and would undermine the progress achieved since 2020.”
“The political stalemate and the subsequent mobilisation of armed groups in Libya have the potential to undermine the gains made since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in October 2020,” Kamboj added. She asserted that “there are no military or armed solutions to the issues facing Libya.”
India stressed that the solution to Libya’s crises was a constitutional framework, through elections. “The immediate priority is to resolve all outstanding issues in arriving at a constitutional basis for holding Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Holding elections at the earliest in a free, fair, inclusive & credible election is an urgent imperative,” Kamboj concluded.
Libya has been suffering escalating violence and unrest ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. There is currently a split between a government appointed by the Libyan Parliament in March, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) that refuses to hand over office except to an elected government.
