Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday.
During their meeting, the two leaders formalized the proceedings of the inaugural session of the
India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. They delved into various aspects of their bilateral relationship and explored avenues to further unlock the potential inherent in the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership, as communicated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Furthermore, they jointly presided over the inaugural session of the India-Saudi Arabia SPC. The agenda of this meeting encompassed a wide spectrum of areas for bilateral collaboration, including but not limited to energy security, trade and investment, defense and security, healthcare, food security, culture, and community welfare matters, among others, as reported by the ministry.
What PM Modi said
At India-Saudi Arabia meet, PM Modi said, "We have identified several initiatives to take our close partnership to next level...We are adding new dimension to our ties in tune with changing times."
The Indian Prime Minister added that Saudi Arabia is one of its most important strategic partners for India. "As two large and fast-growing economies of the world, our mutual cooperation is important for peace and stability in the entire region," he added.
"Today's talks will provide new energy and direction to our relations. This will provide us inspiration to work together for the welfare of humanity," Modi said.
The prime minister further said that on Sunday India and Saudi Arabia have taken a decision to start a historic economic corridor between India, West Asia and Europe.
"This corridor will not only connect two countries but also help in providing economic growth, and digital connectivity between Asia, West Asia and Europe," he said.
What Crown Prince said
Crown Prince and PM of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said there was no disagreement at all during the history of this (India-Saudi Arabia) relationship but there is cooperation to build the future of our country and create opportunities.
"Today we are working on future opportunities...I congratulate you (PM Modi) on the management of the G20 Summit and the initiatives achieved, including the Economic Corridor linking the Middle East, India and Europe which requires that we work diligently in order to create it into reality...," he said.
In a series of tweet ahead of the meeting , Ministry of External Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Monday said that the "leaders will co-chair the first Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC)."
PM Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince "will review the progress made under the two Ministerial Committees of the Strategic Partnership Council," the ministry said in a press release on Saturday. "The Meeting of the two leaders today follows the Ministerial Meetings of the two Committees held in September 2022 in Riyadh," the ministry said.
Informing about the Council, Bagchi said the SPC was formed in October 2019 during PM Modi's visit to Riyadh. "SPC has two Committees: Committee on Political-Security-Social and Cultural Cooperation and Committee on Economy and Investment," he said in a series of tweets.
The meeting between PM Modi and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud came a day after India concluded G20 meeting on Sunday. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman began a state visit to India on Monday.
Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Saudi Crown Prince then inspected a combined defence services Guard of Honour. In a brief statement, Mohammed bin Salman congratulated India for a successful G20 presidency.
He said, "Well done India, a lot of announcements made that will benefit both our countries, the G20 countries and the whole world. So I want to say to India well done, and we will work to create a future for both countries," the Saudi Crown Prince was quoted by ANI as saying. Later in the day, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu.
First Published: Sept 11, 2023 12:31 PM IST
