Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Jun 29: India and Saudi Arabia on Monday strengthened their growing strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in water resources during the Saudi Water Week event held in Jeddah.
The agreement was signed by India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Khan, and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, marking a significant step towards enhancing collaboration in sustainable water management and resource planning.
Announcing the development, the Embassy of India in Riyadh said the agreement is aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as water resource planning, efficient irrigation systems, capacity building, sustainable water management and the exchange of technical expertise and best practices.
The Embassy described the pact as another milestone in the expanding India-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership, reflecting both countries' shared commitment to addressing water security challenges through innovation and institutional cooperation.
India's Consul General in Jeddah, Fahad Suri, was also present during the signing ceremony.
Separately, efforts to strengthen cooperation on issues concerning the Indian community in Saudi Arabia also gathered momentum on Monday. India's Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George and Counsellor Y. Sabir held discussions with Ahmed Abdulaziz Bin Salamah, Head of the Expatriate Affairs Division at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Indian Embassy, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral coordination on consular services and welfare-related matters concerning the large Indian expatriate community living and working in the Kingdom.
The discussions explored mechanisms to improve cooperation in addressing issues affecting Indian nationals and further streamline consular support.
The latest engagements come close on the heels of Ambassador Suhel Khan's farewell meeting with Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud last week.
During the courtesy call, the Ambassador expressed gratitude for the support extended to him throughout his tenure and acknowledged the Governor's continued concern for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
Both sides also reviewed the steady progress in India-Saudi Arabia relations and exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, underscoring the growing depth of ties between the two countries.