PM Modi: India & Saudi Arabia to form 'Strategic partnership Council'

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyh for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning, he spoke to local media in Saudi about developments in India. As PM Modi arrived in Saudi Arabia, he was received by officials with a guard of hour. 

Calling Saudi Arabia an Asian power and most important among among neighbours of India, Prime Minister anunced that India and Saudi Arabia will have a strategic partnership council. Prime Minister also spoke on crude oil import between both nations. PM also reiterated India's commitment to fight against terror and highlighted importance of Saudi Arabia in doing so. He also sent a mess to Indian diaspora in Saudi. 

Speaking about his chemistry with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, PM Modi said that he witnessed a remarkable growth in bilateral relations and that he has so far met  Crown five times. Highlighting Saudi's importance to India, PM Modi said that “Neighbourhood First” continues to be guiding vision for his government’s foreign policy. "India’s relations with Saudi Arabia are one of most important bilateral relationships in our extended neighbourhood," PM said.

Strategic Partnership Council

Speaking to local news portal in Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister said that re will be Strategic Partnership Council to focus on tre, investment, security and defence cooperation between both nations. PM Modi said: "During this visit to Saudi Arabia, we are going to sign an agreement on a Strategic Partnership Council, which will begin a new era of cooperation across sectors. Our ties across various dimensions such as tre, investment, security and defence cooperation are robust and deep, and will only strengn furr."

PM Modi's word on counter-terrorism

Speaking against terrorism, Prime Minister said: "I believe that Asian powers like India and Saudi Arabia share similar security concerns in ir neighbourhood. In that respect, I am happy that our cooperation, particularly in field of counterterrorism, security and strategic issues, is progressing very well. My national security viser just visited Riyh for a very productive visit.
We have a Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation that holds regular meetings. We have identified a number of areas of mutual interest and cooperation in field of defence and security. We are also in process of entering into agreements on security cooperation, collaboration in defence industries and also agreed to hold a comprehensive security dialogue mechanism between two countries."

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PM on global ecomic downturn

Speaking about global ecomic slowdown, PM Modi said: "India has undertaken many reforms to create a business-friendly environment and to ensure that we remain a major driver of global growth and stability. Our reforms for ease of doing business and introducing investor-friendly initiatives have contributed to improving our position in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019. A number of major flagship initiatives, like Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities and Startup India, are offering a lot of opportunities to foreign investors. Similarly, I am happy to te that Saudi Arabia too has embarked upon a reform program as part of ir Vision 2030."

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Mess to Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia

Sending a mess to Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, PM Modi said: "Nearly 2.6 million Indians have me Saudi Arabia ir second home, contributing to its growth and development. Many Indians also visit Kingdom every year for Hajj and Umrah pilgrim and for business purposes. My mess to my fellow citizens is that your country is proud of place that you have me for yourself in Kingdom and your hard work and commitment have helped to generate a lot of goodwill for overall bilateral relationship. I am confident that you will continue to remain binding force in our ties with Kingdom, and furr contribute to strengning of historic ties between two countries, which are based on people-to-people contacts over several deces."

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PM Modi's statement before visit

Prime Minister will be staying at  King Saud Palace during visit. According to reports, Prime Minister is in Saudi on invitation of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with various ministers and officials. He would also be launching 'RuPay' card in country.

A meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Labour and Social Development Minister Ahm bin Sulaiman Alrajhi and Environment and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fley are scheduled on Tuesday.

Earlier, Prime Minister said visit is important and will embark new 'bilateral ties' between two countries. "During visit, Agreement for establishment of Strategic Partnership Council will furr elevate India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership to a new level," statement ded. 

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