Arab News
NEW DELHI, Feb 29: Prince Saud Al-Faisal, foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, who arrived in India on Wednesday on a two-day visit, called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday evening.
Prince Saud’s visit further strengthened Saudi-India ties, which received a major boost during the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who was chief guest at the country’s Republic Day celebrations in 2006.
Prince Saud also met Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues over a working lunch hosted by Mukherjee. They “examined ways to further strengthen India and Saudi Arabia cooperation in several areas,” a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
The two ministers also discussed possible dates for a visit by Manmohan to Saudi Arabia. Manmohan’s visit has been on the cards since King Abdullah came to India.
The Indian PM is expected to visit Saudi Arabia later this year.
Prince Saud and Mukherjee “reiterated the need to have a faster implementation of the Delhi Declaration,” the spokesperson said. (The declaration was signed during King Abdullah’s visit.)
During their talks, Prince Saud and Mukherjee emphasized the need for the two foreign offices to coordinate with each other on a regular basis.
The two ministers stressed they had to “further invigorate trade and investment relations,” sources said.
Investment Opportunities
Prince Saud and Mukherjee also discussed the need to “increase mutual investment” and agreed that a “facility to promote such investments should be set up.”
As Saudi Arabia is keen to increase investment in India, the ministers discussed opportunities in the fields of infrastructure, chemicals, petrochemicals and energy.
In addition, Prince Saud spoke to Mukherjee on recent developments in the Middle East, while the latter briefed him about India’s neighbors.
The Indian external affairs minister also accepted an invitation to visit the Kingdom.
The Kingdom is home to 1.6 million Indian nationals, and is among India’s top suppliers for petroleum and petroleum products.
Saudi-India bilateral trade is estimated to be over $5.5 billion. With the Kingdom beginning to look toward India as a knowledge hub, it is also keen to enhance cooperation in technology, medicine and education.