India and Saudi Arabia will be ‘entering into agreements on security cooperation and collaboration in defense industries’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Tuesday and also maintained that the cooperation between two countries in counter terrorism is “progressing very well”. “I am happy that our cooperation, particularly in the field of counter terrorism, security and strategic issues, is progressing very well. My national security adviser (Ajit Doval) just visited Riyadh for a very productive visit,” Mr Modi told ‘Arab News’ in an interview here.
He said: “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 the field of defense and security. We are also in the process of entering into agreements on security cooperation, collaboration in defense industries, and also agreed to hold a comprehensive security dialogue mechanism between the two countries”. Asked to comment on the conflict and turmoil in the Middle East or West Asia and role India can play in reducing tension in the region, Mr Modi said: “A dialogue process that encourages the participation of all stakeholders is important to bring peace and security to this very important region”.
Prime Minister said: “We believe that a balanced approach is required to resolve the conflicts, while respecting the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal matters. India shares excellent bilateral relations with all the countries in the region, and a very large Indian diaspora, numbering over 8 million, resides in the region”. To a question on economic challenges at the global level, Prime Minister said: “Economic uncertainty is an offshoot of unbalanced multilateral trade systems. Within the G20, India and Saudi Arabia have been working together to reduce inequality and promote sustainable development”.
“The global economic outlook is strongly dependent on the path chartered by the large developing countries such as India. As I mentioned in my speech at the UN General Assembly in September, we sincerely believe that we need collective efforts, for the growth of all, with everyone’s trust”. He also said: “I am happy to note that Saudi Arabia will be hosting the G20 Summit next year and India will host it in 2022, which is also the 75th anniversary of our independence”.
Prime Minister is Saudi Arabia on an official invitation from the King Salman bin Abdulaziz. During his stay, Prime Minister will address the third session of the Future Investment Institute forum in Riyadh. An important agreement on the Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia will be inked during Prime Minister’s visit. (UNI)
