PM Modi to embark on two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Oct 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will embark on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia with an aim to boost bilateral ties between two countries in key sectors including energy and finance. PM Modi is paying a visit to Kingdom at invitation of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. During his two-day visit PM will hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and launch RuPay card in Saudi. He will also attend third session of Future Investment Initiative (FII) Forum in Riyh, where he will deliver keyte dress. 

Two-day visit

Prime Minister will arrive in Riyh on Monday night. A few Saudi ministers are slated to meet visiting dignitary, following day. PM Modi is also scheduled to dress FII plenary session on Tuesday. He will leave for New Delhi on same night. FII is also kwn as 'Davos in Desert' which has been hosted by Riyh since 2017 to project Kingdom as a potential investment hub in region. 

Secretary (Ecomic Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs TS Tirumurti on Thursday, said, "re will also be a bilateral segment to his visit where Prime Minister Modi will meet Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and hold bilateral talks with him." 

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"An agreement on Strategic Partnership Council will also be signed. re will also be separate delegation-level talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia," he ded. two countries are expected to hold joint naval exercises in December this year. 

PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 that granted special powers to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has unilaterally downgred bilateral ties and has been attempting to internationalise Kashmir issue but to avail. 

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Pak denies use of air

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan turned down a request from India for use of its air for PM's visit to Saudi Arabia. According to reports, India h sought Pakistan's permission to use country's air on October 28 for PM Modi. As per sources, Centre has taken matter to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

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According to sources, overflight clearances are sought and granted by or countries as prescribed by ICAO guidelines. "Overflight clearances are sought and granted by or countries as per prescribed guidelines of ICAO. India will continue to seek such overflight clearances. We have taken up matter of such denial with civil aviation body," said sources. "Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well-established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting reasons for taking unilateral action," ded sources. 

sources furr said: "We regret decision of Government of Pakistan to yet again deny overflight clearance for VVIP special flight, which is orwise granted routinely by any rmal country." Pakistan h earlier also denied Modi access to its air for his visit to US to attend 74th UN General Assembly session in September. Prior to this, President Ram Nath Kovind was also denied permission to use Pakistan's air for his official visit to Europe.

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(with ANI inputs)