Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Wednesday. (Express Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)
PM Narendra Modi meets Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammad Bin Salman LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud pledged to work together to curb terrorism and extremism in a joint statement Wednesday.
Addressing the media after the delegation level talks between the two countries, PM Modi said, “The cruel attack in Pulwama last week underlines the anti-humanitarian threat the world is facing. To deal with it effectively, we agree that there is a need to put all possible pressure on countries supporting terrorism. It is necessary to destroy the infrastructure of terrorism and end its support system by giving strong punishment to the terrorists and their supporters.” In reply, the Saudi Crown Prince said that terrorism and extremism are a common threat to both the nations and Saudi Arabia will cooperate with India on every aspect, including intelligence sharing.
The two countries also inked five pacts in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting during delegation-level talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at New Delhi airport. (Source: Twitter/MEAIndia)
PM Modi formally welcomed Saudi Arabia into the International Solar Alliance. He also said that the two countries discussed on how to further strengthen their defence cooperation.
Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for receiving Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport, the Congress on Wednesday asked whether according a "grand welcome" to those who praised Pakistan's "anti-terror" efforts was his way of remembering the Pulwama attack martyrs, PTI reported.
"National interests v/s Modiji's 'hugplomacy' breaking protocol, grand welcome to those who pledged USD 20 billion to Pakistan and praised Pakistan's 'anti-terror' efforts. Is it ur way of remembering martyrs of Pulwama?" Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter tagging photographs of Modi hugging the crown prince and sharing a laugh at the airport.
On Pulwama terror attacks, PM Modi said, "The cruel attack in Pulwama last week underlines the threat of terrorism posing danger to humanity. To deal with it effectively, we agree that there is a need to put all possible pressure on countries supporting terrorism. It is necessary to destroy the infrastructure of terrorism and end its support system by giving strong punishment to the terrorists and their supporters."
In the joint statement, PM Modi said, "Today in the 21st century, Saudi Arabia is one of India's most valuable strategic partners. It is our reliable neighbour, close friend and an important source to India's energy security."
Five pacts in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting were signed between India and Saudi Arabia after talks between PM Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Crown Prince said that terrorism and extremism are a common threat to both the nations and Saudi Arabia will cooperate with India on every aspect, including intelligence sharing.
Bringing up the issue of Pulwama attacks, Modi said, "We agree that pressure should be put on countries supporting terrorism."
Addressing the media after delegation-level talks, PM Modi said, "India and Saudi Arabia share age-old relations. Saudi Arabia is India's most valuable strategic partner." Modi also said that his 2016 Saudi visit gave new dimensions to our relations in the field of defence and energy.
PM Narendra Modi along with EAM Sushma Swaraj and NSA Ajit Doval attends delegation level talks with Saudi Arabia Wednesday. (Source: Twitter/ANI)
PM Narendra Modi with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi Wednesday. (Express Photo by Prem Nath Pandey)
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and NSA chief Ajit Doval at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi Wednesday. (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)
Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wednesday. The leaders discussed adding momentum to strategic dimension to the relationship between two nations in various fields - from trade and investment to defence and security, and regional cooperation.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives the Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Wednesday. (Source: Twitter/MEAIndia)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud inspected the Guard of Honour at the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President Ramnath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi Wednesday. (Source: Twitter/MEAIndia)
After receiving a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, the Saudi Crown Prince said, "Today we want to be sure that this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of the President and the Prime Minister, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India." (ANI)
President Ramnath Kovind received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 10 am Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some of his Cabinet members were also in attendance.