'Saudi Arabia One Of India's Most Important Partners': PM Modi Discusses Trade, Defence With Crown Prince

PM Narendra Modi is holding a wide-ranging bilateral discussion with Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman, who is on a state visit to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that for India, Saudi Arabia is one of its most important strategic partners and mutual cooperation is important between the two countries for peace and stability in the entire region. He said that during the talks, they have identified several initiatives to take their partnership to the next level which will provide new energy and direction to our relations. This comes after PM Modi held delegation-level bilateral discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in New Delhi

"...For India, Saudi Arabia is one of its most important strategic partners. As two large and fast-growing economies of the world, our mutual cooperation is important for peace and stability in the entire region. In our talks, we have identified several initiatives to take our partnership to the next level. Today's talks will provide new energy and direction to our relations. This will provide us inspiration to work together for the welfare of humanity," PM Modi said.

Talking about the India-Middle East-Europe rail-ship corridor, the PM said that it will not only connect two countries but also help in providing economic growth, and digital connectivity between Asia, West Asia and Europe.

"Yesterday, we have taken a decision to start a historic economic corridor between India, West Asia and Europe. This corridor will not only connect two countries but also help in providing economic growth, and digital connectivity between Asia, West Asia and Europe. Under your leadership and vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has seen tremendous economic growth..," he added.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi said that the agenda of discussion included wide-ranging issues from areas of bilateral cooperation including energy security, trade and investment, defence and security, healthcare, food security, culture and community welfare issues among others.

"PM @narendramodi and Crown Prince & PM of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman held the first Leaders’ Meeting of the 🇮🇳-🇸🇦 Strategic Partnership Council. Agenda included a broad range of areas of bilateral cooperation including energy security, trade and investment, defence and security, healthcare, food security, culture and community welfare issues among others," MEA said in a post on X.

Notably, the meeting took place a day after the conclusion of the G20 Summit in Delhi. The Saudi Prince's trip is a part of the one-day state visit to India, where he is also set to co-chair the inaugural Strategic Partnership Council leaders' meeting with PM Modi. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the President's House and was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.

The Crown Prince, who is also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, attended the G20 Summit in Delhi over the weekend. According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement, he was scheduled to stay in India until Monday (September 11) for a state visit.

Speaking after the ceremonial welcome, the Prince congratulated India on the G20 summit and said many announcements were made during the meet that will benefit G20 nations.

"I am very glad to be here in India. I want to congratulate India for the G20 Summit...A lot of announcements have been made that will benefit G20 countries and the world. We will work together to create a great future for both the countries," Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said.

This is the second state visit of the Crown Prince to India, following his first trip in February 2019. He is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials.

Meanwhile, several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have also been signed between India and Saudi Arabia in Delhi under the India-Saudi investment deal.

This visit follows Prime Minister Modi's trip to Saudi Arabia in October 2019, during which the two nations established the Strategic Partnership Council, a bilateral mechanism.

Amid the state visit of Prince Salman, the Indian-Saudi Investment Forum is being held in New Delhi.