Modi-Salman meeting hints at expanding ties
PM ALSO MEETS JORDAN KING ON SIDELINES OF SUMMIT
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday met Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, who hosted a luncheon in honour. “A relationship reflecting centuriesold ties! PM A@narendramodi was warmly welcomed by Saudi King HM @KingSalman underlining a new dimension to our expanding relationship. His Majesty hosted a lunch in honour of Prime Minister,” tweeted MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
Modi is on a day’s official visit during which the two sides will ink an agreement to set up the Strategic Partnership Council to elevate the India-Saudi ties to a new level.
Modi will also attend the Plenary Session of the Third Future Investment Initiative Forum being held in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia yesterday announced that 23 investment agreements totalling more than $15 billion (Dh55.17 billion) in value were signed on the first day of a three-day high-profile financial summit.
India and Saudi Arabia signed the Riyadh Declaration in 2010 and called it ‘Towards a New Era in Strategic Partnership’. India has excellent bilateral relations with all GCC and other Arab countries. The Indian diaspora in the region is thought to be over 8 million strong. Modi told Saudi media that a dialogue process that encourages the participation of all stakeholders is important to bring peace and security to this very important region.
Modi also met Jordan’s King Abdullah II and the two leaders discussed a range of issues to strengthen the bilateral ties by enhancing cooperation in several areas, including trade and investment and counterterrorism.