By NNN-KUNA
New Delhi : Saudi Arabia and India have held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues including the recent developments in West Asia and India’s neighbouring countries.
Visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal and his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, met here Thursday and discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues, an official spokesperson in India’s External Affairs Ministry told reporters.
The talks continued over a working lunch hosted by the Indian Foreign Minister for the visiting dignitary.
The Saudi Foreign Minister briefed Mukherjee on the recent developments in West Asia, while the Indian Foreign Minister briefed the Saudi top diplomat on recent developments in India’s neighbouring countries, the spokesperson said.
“The two sides also examined ways and means to further strengthen India and Saudi Arabia cooperation in several areas,” the spokesperson said.
“The two ministers also reiterated the need to further invigorate trade and investment relations. Discussions focused on the need to increase mutual investment and it was felt that a facility to promote such investments should be set up.
“They also discussed possibilities of increased investment by Saudi Arabia in India in the fields of infrastructure, chemicals, petro-chemicals and energy,” he added.
“They reiterated the need to have a faster implementation of the Delhi Declaration. In particular, they felt that consultations between the two Foreign Office should be conducted on a regular basis,” the spokesperson said.
Al-Faisal personally invited Mukherjee to visit Saudi Arabia. The invitation was accepted by the Indian minister.
The Saudi foreign minister was also scheduled to call on Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh before departing from Delhi. He arrived here earlier in the day on a day-long crucial visit.
Saudi Arabia is home to 1.6 million Indian diaspora. Bilateral trade is growing.
Last month, India and Saudi Arabia signed a pact to allow their airlines to add more flights between the two countries and fly on more routes.
India and Saudi Arabia enjoy close bilateral ties. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud visited India in 2006 and was the chief guest at the country’s Republic Day celebrations on Jan 26 that year.
Saudi Arabia is among India’s top supplier for petroleum and petroleum products.