By IANS,
New Delhi : Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to explore areas for expanding bilateral military cooperation has been postponed in view of his indisposition, an official said here.
Antony was to visit the two countries beginning Friday, but it would now take place later this year after bilateral consultations on mutually agreeable dates, the defence ministry official said here.
The minister, who had visited forward areas to meet with troops in the Rajasthan desert Monday, fell ill after he had to travel to the border with Pakistan by road in the scorching summer heat following snags with the military helicopters based at Jaisalmer that he was to fly in.
He suffered a heat stroke and on return to the capital, cancelled all his engagements to rest.
During his Saudi Arabia and Qatar visits, Antony was expected to discuss with the two countries’ top leadership possibilities for expanding the military-to-military relations, apart from issues of terrorism and piracy in the region.
The minister also did not attend the conference of the chief executive officers of the country’s 62 cantonment boards held Wednesday.