By A Correspondent / Riyadh
India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership Council, resolved to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorist operations while signing 12 MoUs in various fields of mutual interests.
The Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Riyad last night. Strategic Partnership Council will be headed by the top leadership on either side.
The Council will be an all encompassing bilateral mechanism which will cover an entire spectrum of relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister’s day long visit to Saudi Arabia was intense on engagement & high on deliverables. Prime Minister met with King Salman & had a fruitful bilateral discussion on matters of mutual interest. Saudi Arabia’s Energy ministers, Foreign Minister, Labour Minister & Agriculture Minister called on the Prime Minister during his visit. Prime Minister Modi also held delegation level talks with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. On the sidelines , PM met with the King of Jordan who was here to attend the Future Investment Initiative Forum. The two leaders exchanged views to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors. 12 MoUs related to security ,defence , civil aviation , renewable energy sector , & capacity building was signed during the visit.
Ahead of the visit , Saudi Arabia released 450 prisoners as a special gesture. Prime Minister Modi addressed the Future Investment Initiative Forum , which was attended by the Crown Prince too. Prime Minister in his address reiterated his government’s resolve to make India a five trillion economy . He highlighted to the international investors the prospect of India as an investment destination & said that by 2024, India will invest 100 billion dollars in refineries ,pipelines & gas terminals to create energy infrastructure. Before flying off to India , Prime Minister in a tweet thanked king Salman & Crown Prince for their hospitality & said that interacting with them was always ‘special’.
Prime Minister Modi has returned home after a day long successful visit to Saudi Arabia.