PM Modi, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman hold wide-ranging talks
Our Correspondent / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate further to fight against terrorism. In a statement after talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in New Delhi, Mr Modi said Pulwama terror attack shows that terrorism is a big threat.
He said Saudi Arabia is one of the most crucial strategic partners of India. The Prime Minister said India and Saudi Arabia will further increase their cooperation in the defence sector and improve their economic ties.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia said both countries can collaborate in several areas including culture and agriculture.
Earlier, India and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements in various areas including tourism and housing.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today said terrorism and extremism are a “common concern”. Saudi Arabia will “cooperate with India and neighbouring states” on the matter, he added during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The bilateral talks between the two leaders were held in the shadow of escalating tension with Pakistan over last week’s Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad.
The Prince was welcomed by PM Modi as he arrived in New Delhi after a two-day visit to Pakistan, where he praised Islamabad’s efforts for “regional peace and security”.
The Crown Prince was accorded ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning.
Speaking to the media, the Crown Prince said that he wants the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia to be maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. He also expressed confidence that the leadership of the two countries can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They discussed ways to add momentum to the relationship in various fields including trade, investment, defence, security, and regional cooperation.
The Crown Prince will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind this evening.
The Crown Prince, who is also the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and leading Saudi businessmen.
In recent years, there has been significant progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. The bilateral trade was 27.48 billion dollars during the last financial year 2017-18, making Saudi Arabia, India’s 4th largest trading partner.
Saudi Arabia contributes significantly to India’s energy security needs by supplying about 20 per cent of crude oil requirements to India.
List of MoUs/Agreements signed between India and Saudi Arabia
February 20, 2019
| S. No. | Name of Agreement/ MoUs | Exchanged on Indian side by | Exchanged on Saudi Arabia side by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Memorandum of Understanding on investing in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs | H.E. Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources |
2. | Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of India and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Shri T S Tirumurti, Secretary(ER) | H.E. Mr. Adel Al-Jubeir, MOS for Foreign Affairs |
| 3. | Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Saudi Arabia for Cooperation in the Field of Housing | Shri Ahmad Javed, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia | H.E. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Commerce & Investment |
| 4. | Framework Cooperation Program between Invest India of the Republic of India and Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Enhancing Bilateral Investment Relations | Shri Ahmad Javed, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia | H.E. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce & Investment |
| 5. | MoU for Cooperation on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, New Delhi, India and Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), Saudi Arabia for Exchange of Audio Visual Programme. | Shri Ahmad Javed, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia | H.E. Dr. Turki Abdullah Al-Shabanah, Minister of Media |