Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is on a state visit to India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present in the meeting.
The Crown Prince was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt
of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "I am very glad to be here in India. I want to congratulate India for the G20 Summit," Bin Salman told reporters after the welcome. He added that the announcements made at the summit will benefit the world. "We will work together to create a great future for both countries," he said.
After the talks, the Saudi leaders hailed India for the management of the G20 Summit. "There was no disagreement at all during the history of this (India-Saudi Arabia) relationship but cooperation to build the future of our country and create opportunities. Today, we are working on future opportunities. I congratulate you 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," the Crown Prince added.
Their talks reportedly focused on shoring up bilateral trade and defence ties. Both countries have had a strong defence and security partnership since 2020 when the then Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane visited Saudi Arabia. There have been a series of visits of high-ranking military officials between the two sides since then.
India, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union announced a historic agreement to launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor. The announcement, seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative, was made on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the decision to start a historic economic corridor historic. "This corridor will not only connect two countries but also help in providing economic growth, and digital connectivity between Asia, West Asia and Europe. Under your leadership and vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has seen tremendous economic growth," he said.
The leaders also signed the minutes of the first meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council held at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
Later in the day, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu. He will leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday night.
Mohammed bin Salman arrived in India last Friday and has stayed back till Monday for the official state visit.