New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, on Sunday met Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Jeddah and apprised him of the bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Saudi media reported that Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and the Deputy Prime Minister, received a written message from Prime Minister Modi.
During the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries and opportunities for enhancing them were reviewed and the latest regional and international developments, as well as the efforts being exerted towards them, were discussed, say a media report.
Foreign Minister of India, Dr. S Jaishankar tweeted “Honoured to call on HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Apprised him of the progress in our bilateral relations. Thank him for sharing his vision of our ties,”
Honoured to call on HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi.
Apprised him of the progress in our bilateral relations. Thank him for sharing his vision of our ties. pic.twitter.com/n98gopLuaZ
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2022
The foreign minister also co-chaired with his Saudi counterpart the first ministerial meeting of the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation (PSSC).
“Warm and productive meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan this afternoon. Co-chaired the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Partnership Council,” Jaishankar tweeted in both English and Arabic.
Both leaders discussed current global political and economic concerns. “Agreed to work closely together in G20 and multilateral organizations,” he added.
Warm and productive meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan this afternoon.
Co-chaired the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Partnership Council. pic.twitter.com/CV2aEdFlGp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2022
More than 18 percent of India’s crude oil imports are secured from Saudi Arabia. During FY22 (April -December), bilateral trade was valued at $29.28 billion. During this period, India’s imports from Saudi Arabia were valued at $22.65 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth $6.63 billion.
India-Saudi Arabia relations have strengthened considerably over the past few years including in political, security, energy, trade, investment, health, food security, cultural, and defense fields. The top leaders of both nations remained in touch even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Vinayak)