Our Correspondent
RIYADH / NEW DELHI/
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Riyadh today on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
In the last leg of his three-nation tour to Belgium and USA, he landed at Royal Military Airport of Riyadh, the capital city of Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saturday afternoon. On his arrival, Prime Minister was received by governor of Riyadh, Faisal Bin Bandar Al- Saud.
Mr Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is aimed at India deepening strategic partnership with the oil-rich country, particularly in areas of counter-terrorism, energy and trade.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss Sunday a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including terrorism, security cooperation and commercial ties on Sunday.
“India is a historic partner for our country and we hold a common outlook on life, including many traditions and values,” said Abdullateef Al-Othman, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.
The Prime Minister will hold talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on a range of bilateral issues including on ways to step up existing counter-terrorism mechanism to deal with increasing threat of terrorism and radicalisation.
Mr Modi is expected to raise issues concerning expatriate community during his deliberations with the Saudi leadership. Mr Modi will also meet top CEOs of major Saudi companies and will interact with the Indian community. The Prime Minister will also meet Indian workers of a project being implemented by L&T in Dahiat Namar in Riyadh.
After talks tomorrow, both sides will sign a number of MoUs to expand ties in a range of areas. The King will also host a lunch for Modi which will be attended by key ministers and officials.
Modi would address a large group of Saudi and Indian businessmen at the Council of Saudi Chambers here on Sunday. Immediately after his arrival in Riyadh, he would be welcomed by the Indian community at a reception at a local hotel.
Modi has also chosen to interact on Saturday with the workers and managers of a major Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which is involved in the construction of the Riyadh Metro.
L&T currently employs about 1,000 Indian workers alongside Saudi nationals.
Modi, known for his passion for history and heritage, will also visit the old Masmak Palace in the capital, which was built around 1865.
It was here that Ibn Saud recaptured Riyadh in 1902 which eventually led to the setting up of the modern Saudi state.
Modi will wrap up his visit Sunday evening and leave for New Delhi. This is the first prime ministerial visit after Manmohan Singh’s trip in 2010.
Saudi Arabia, home to about 3 million Indian workers, is India’s top energy supplier. The Kingdom is India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
Updated at 6:45 IST