India & Saudi Arabia sign 5 pacts
The visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman to India saw more support coming for India in the fight against terrorism. Days after the Pulwama terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press briefing with the visiting dignatory that in order to effectively counter terrorism, India and Saudi Arabia agreed on the need to build all kinds of pressure on countries supporting terrorism even as the Crown Prince assured India of all possible support from Saudi Arabia in the fight against terrorism, including by way of intelligence sharing.
Since the Pulwama terror attack, several countries have come out in India’s support and against cross-border terrorism.
India and Saudi Arabia too have committed to increase counter-terror co-operation.
The declaration was made after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman.
Prime Minister said that India and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the need to build all kinds of pressure on countries supporting terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Saudi Arabia agreed on the need to counter extremism and prepare a detailed plan for it.
The Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia assured that Saudi Arabia will co-operate with India in every possible way to counter terrorism and extremism, including intelligence sharing.
They include a Memorandum of Understanding on investing in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
Cooperation in the field of Tourism, Housing, Enhancing Bilateral Investment Relations, and in the field of Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and Saudi Broadcasting Corporation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that in the context of the regional strategic environment….both the countries agreed to enhance bilateral security co-operation.
He said it is time to transform the bilateral energy partnership into a strategic partnership…
PM Modi said that Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valuable strategic partners…and both sides have decided to take their economic partnership to new heights.
Prime Minister said that a decision was taken to set up a mechanism to facilitate institutional investment from Saudi Arabia to India.
Welcoming Saudi Arabia’s entry into International Solar Alliance, PM said that both the countries have agreed to promote co-operation in renewable energy.
He announced that India would extend e-visas to Saudi Arabian nationals to give a push to trade and tourism from India to Saudi Arabia…
Earlier in the day, a Ceremonial Reception was accorded to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia at Rashtrapati Bhavan….where he inspected a guard of honour in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi….
Referring to the traditional friendship between the 2 countries…the Crown Prince said on the occasion that the relationship between India and Arabian peninsula is in our DNA.
That was followed by talks between the visiting dignatory and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on adding momentum to the strategic partnership…from trade & investment to defence & security, and regional cooperation….
India accorded a warm reception to the Crown Prince, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting aside protocol to receive him…upon his arrival in Delhi…on his first state visit to India.
The visit assumes significance in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
In a shot in the arm for India…both countries called upon countries to crackdown on terror infrastructure, funding and armed support…and backed comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and terror organisations….which assumes significance in the wake of India’s demand for a UN ban on Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar.
