India, Saudi join hands on terror

In the first-ever joint declaration signed by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, India and Saudi Arabia today gave a strategic visio...

In the first-ever joint declaration signed by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, India and Saudi Arabia today gave a strategic vision to the relationship and agreed to actively cooperate to fight terrorism and other transnational crimes.

The landmark 8216;8216;Delhi declaration8217;8217;, which was agreed between PM Manmohan Singh and the Saudi King, also lays the basis for a strategic energy partnership.

The energy partnership with Riyadh caters to reliable, stable and increased volume of crude oil supplies through 8216;8216;evergreen8217;8217; long-term contracts. It envisages cooperative and joint ventures, both in the public and private sectors, in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors in India and Saudi Arabia besides third countries.

There will be more Saudi investments in oil refining, marketing and storage in India. Both countries have also agreed to set up joint ventures for gas-based fertiliser plants in Saudi Arabia.

The King, who was the chief guest at this year8217;s Republic Day, said he was 8216;8216;personally impressed8217;8217; by the PM.

On queries that there may be demands from other countries for a similar joint declaration, he responded that 8216;8216;other countries are not India8217;8217;.

The declaration noted that terrorism is a scourge for all mankind and there is a need to intensify and coordinate bilateral, regional and global cooperation to 8216;8216;combat and eradicate the menace8217;8217;.

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The two countries also agreed to cooperate in dealing with other crimes like money laundering, drugs and arms smuggling in a 8216;8216;sustained and comprehensive manner8217;8217;. This would

include intelligence-sharing.

The signing of an MoU between the two countries

on combating crime, the declaration stated it would help in the fight against terrorism, extremism and criminal elements.

India and Saudi Arabia committed themselves to make efforts for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, a proposal currently before the the UN General Assembly. Also, they would jointly work towards the setting up of an International Counter Terrorism Centre.

The Saudi King today also met UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who called on him and exchanged views on areas where both countries can make meaningful progress.

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King Abdullah, who became the first Saudi ruler to visit India in 50 years, departed with his delegation today.