External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in November met Democratic Republic of Congo’s Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister Leonard She Okitundu and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties. “Both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and discussed priority areas for future cooperation,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “They expressed satisfaction over the close and friendly relations between the two countries,” it added. India is a major development aid partner of the central African nation and has extended several lines of credit, including over $350 million for hydro-electric power generation and transmission projects. Congo is also a major beneficiary of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation and Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships. Total bilateral trade stands at USD 286.41 million, tilted heavily in India’s favour. India’s main exports include pharmaceutical products, vehicles, nuclear reactors, electrical machinery and equipment and cotton.