Indian premier visits Saudi Arabia to boost strategic ties

New Delhi - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia Saturday with an aim to boost economic ties and defense and security cooperation. An extradition treaty and several other agreements are expected to be signed during Singh's visit, Indian diplomatic officials said.

It is the first by an Indian premier to Saudi Arabia in 28 years.

Singh said there was great opportunity for opening new frontiers of cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, defense, science and technology, space, human resources development and knowledge-based industries.

"The Gulf region is an area of vital importance for India's security and prosperity," Singh said. He was accompanied by several ministers and a 25-member delegation of business leaders.

Saudi Arabia is India's largest supplier of crude oil. It is also home to an Indian community numbering at least 1.8 million.

Singh was scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah on bilateral relations, and discuss regional and global issues including Afghanistan, according to Lalitha Reddy, secretary in India's External Affairs Ministry.

The prime minister also planned to address the Shoura Council, an influential body of Saudi intellectuals, and the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He was also expected to meet members of the Indian community.

Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia during 2008-09 was more than 25 billion dollars.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/311586,indian-premier-visits-saudi-arabia-to-boost-strategic-ties.html.