India-Saudi Arabia ties crucial for stability, welfare of region and world: PM Modi

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Crown Prince at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he inspected a combined defence services Guard of Honour.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: September 11, 2023 05:22 PM IST

3 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during sign key agreements after a meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Monday. (Express Photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

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After having participated in the G20 Leaders’ summit in New Delhi, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Monday held extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed shoring up bilateral trade and defence ties. Both leaders also co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).

During the meeting, PM Modi highlighted the importance of the India-Saudi Arabia partnership, which is “crucial for stability and welfare of the region and the world.”

“We are adding new dimension to our ties in tune with changing times,” the PM added.

Earlier, opening a “new chapter in the India and Saudi Arabia ties”, PM Modi welcomed the Saudi Crown Prince at the Hyderabad House for the bilateral.

As per news agency PTI, SPC was formed in October 2019 during PM Modi’s visit to Riyadh. It has two committees: Committee on Political-Security-Social & Cultural Cooperation and Committee on Economy and Investment. The talks between both leaders today follow the ministerial meetings of the two committees held in September 2022 in Riyadh.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Delhi on Saturday for a three-day visit, combining the G20 Summit attendance with a state visit.

Ahead of the talks, he was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the beginning of his state visit.

President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi greeted the Crown Prince at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he inspected a combined defence services Guard of Honour. In a statement, the Crown Prince, who is also the country’s Prime Minister, congratulated India for a successful G20 presidency.

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“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” he told reporters after the ceremonial welcome.

At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union announced a historic agreement to launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor.

Meanwhile, the Indian-Saudi Investment Forum is being held in New Delhi on the sidelines of the official state visit to India by the Saudi Crown Prince.

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