On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi after he formally assumed office as the new Prime Minister of Iraq.
In a message posted on X, PM Modi said India deeply values its long-standing relationship with Iraq and remains committed to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. He also expressed hope for closer collaboration aimed at the shared progress and prosperity of both nations.
Heartiest congratulations to Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as Prime Minister of Iraq.
India highly values its longstanding and friendly ties with Iraq and remains firmly committed to further strengthening our bilateral ties in all areas.
I extend my best wishes…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2026
Ali al-Zaidi took charge after receiving parliamentary approval for part of his Cabinet following prolonged political discussions over key Ministerial appointments.
During the parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, lawmakers approved 14 Ministers in the new government.
Political parties failed to reach a consensus on crucial Ministries such as defence and interior, forcing leaders to defer decisions on the portfolios.
Among the Ministers cleared by Parliament were Fuad Hussein, who retained the foreign affairs portfolio, along with Bassim Mohammed Khudair and Faleh al-Sari.
Following the confidence vote, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the approved Ministers took the constitutional oath, officially beginning the tenure of the new administration.
Earlier, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi had appointed al-Zaidi as Prime Minister-designate on April 27 after his nomination by the Coordination Framework, Iraq’s largest Shiite-led parliamentary alliance.
Under Iraq’s Constitution, a Prime Minister-designate must secure parliamentary backing for the Cabinet and government programme within 30 days.
Iraq continues to operate under the political power-sharing system adopted after 2003, where the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd, the Prime Minister’s post by a Shiite Muslim and the parliamentary speaker’s position by a Sunni Muslim.
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