IDS workshop aims to bolster Saudi-India relations

RIYADH: The Center of Asian Studies at Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies (previously IDS) organized the fifth workshop on Saudi-India relations aiming to bolster bilateral ties.

The two-day workshop began Tuesday night with the opening remarks by Abdulkarim H. Al-Dekhayel, director general of Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, who welcomed the Indian delegation from the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).

Addressing the opening session, Saud M. Al-Saty, Saudi ambassador to New Delhi, expressed hope the workshop would help further enhance relations between the two countries.

“The two countries share a number of values and principles and the common values will help further enhance cooperation,” he said, adding that there are many opportunities to boost bilateral relations with India emerging as a leading economy.

ICWA Director General Nalin Surie expressed thanks to the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for the workshop and exuded hope that it would bolster bilateral relations. Surie said that high-level visits from both sides deepened the bilateral relations.

Responding to a concern raised during the concluding session on Wednesday, Al-Saty said Nitaqat policy has nothing to do with any nationality and against any national, but instead is about streamlining the labor market with adequate representation of Saudis in jobs.

Indian ambassador Ahmad Javed, in a reply regarding Saudis’ image in the outside world, said, “Kingdom has many things to offer that include tourism and travel destinations and with the ease in the visa system, more people will visit the Kingdom, which will serve as an eye opener for them.”

Ali M. Alqarni from the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute, told Arab News the relationship between both countries is strong but there is still potential to further improve it.

He said the Saudi-Indo relations developed in stages. The first stage was the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947, which was followed by high-level visits from both sides and with both countries being pragmatic to involve in political coordination, trade and investment.

“The visit by late King Abdullah in 2006 ushered in a new era in bilateral relations as the historic tour resulted in signing of ‘Delhi Declaration’ imparting a fresh momentum to the relationship and provided the framework for cooperation in all fields,” he said.