India and Saudi Arabia will work together for ‘irreversible, verifiable and credible steps’ against all terrorists without any discrimination.
It was broadly agreed at the meeting between two sides when Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir paid an official visit to India on Monday and held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and also Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It was agreed to set up the Strategic Partnership Council at the earliest, MEA said here.
“Prime Minister thanked the leadership of Saudi Arabia for expressing full solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It was agreed that Saudi Arabia and India should work together for irreversible, verifiable and credible steps against all terrorists without any discrimination,” an MEA statement said here.
The Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs paid an official visit to India as a follow up of the visit of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia last month.
During his meeting with PM Modi, Saudi Minister conveyed greetings of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister warmly reciprocated the wishes,” the statement said.
Mr Al Jubeir briefed the Prime Minister on the follow up of the outcomes of the historical visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia last month. Both the countries have taken significant steps including to boost trade and investment and to achieve USD 100 billion investment from Saudi Arabia into India, which was announced during the visit of the Crown Prince.
Later, Minister Al Jubeir met and held discussions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
“EAM Sushma Swaraj had a warm meeting with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al jubeir on his visit to India. Follow up to the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince to India, including cooperation in counter-terrorism, came up for discussion,” MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
“They took note of significant developments after the visit of His Royal Highness to India. EAM reiterated that an immediate irreversible and verifiable action to dismantle terror infrastructure is essential to fight the menace of terror,” the statement said.
The gesture from Saudi side to increase the Hajj Quota to 2,00,000 and Royal pardon to 850 Indian Prisoners was highly appreciated.
“India and Saudi Arabia enjoy warm, close and multifaceted relations underpinned by historic, cultural, religious and economic linkages which stand elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trading partner and second largest supplier of our crude oil needs,” the statement added. (UNI)
