NEW DELHI, 16 November 2005 — The forthcoming visit to India by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah spells a major breakthrough in bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and India.
Describing the visit as significant, Saudi Ambassador to India Saleh Al-Ghamdi told Arab News: “I am extremely happy that at last our relations are reaching new heights.”
Though Al-Ghamdi did not specify the date of the king’s visit, The Hindu newspaper reported yesterday that he would be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26. Visiting India at the invitation of the government, a Saudi king would be here after 50 years. His elder brother, King Saud, visited India in 1955.
King Abdullah would be the first Saudi king to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations. This is a significant indicator of the importance India attaches to its ties with Saudi Arabia, Indian sources said.
While former Indian prime ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, visited Saudi Arabia in 1956 and 1962 respectively, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was there as a finance minister in December 1994. Manmohan has also played a major role in bringing Indo-Saudi ties to a new level, sources said.
Elaborating on the upswing in relations between India and Saudi Arabia, Al-Ghamdi said that the king’s visit is likely to be marked by inking of several key agreements. These would cover areas such as encouraging investment, avoidance of double taxation and security matters. India and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on meeting challenges such as crime and terrorism, Al-Ghamdi said.
Drawing attention to intensification of efforts from both sides in improving their relations “in all areas,” Al-Ghamdi expressed hope that “more would be achieved in the coming months and years.” He also appreciated the role played by India in securing Saudi Arabia the WTO membership.
Al-Ghamdi said the progress in Indo-Saudi ties are being marked by a notable increase in exchange of visits between government officials, business representatives and other dignitaries. While Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is reaching Saudi Arabia this week, a delegation of Saudi journalists is expected to arrive here soon. Besides, a business delegation and one from the Ministry of Agriculture is also expected to be here soon.
Highlighting the significance of such exchanges of visits, Al-Ghamdi said: “I have always stated that exchange of visits between government officials and private sector representatives is the shortest and easiest way of creating a conducive environment for meaningful cooperation.”
Besides, in the coming days, State Bank of India would begin functioning in Saudi Arabia while a Saudi group is building a five-star, 500-room hotel in Hyderabad (in Andhra Pradesh). In addition, the Saudi Embassy would soon open a Saudi school in Delhi, for which the necessary formalities have been completed. Planning is also under way for constructing a Saudi Embassy in the capital city soon.
Al-Ghamdi said the two nations have always maintained a people-to-people interaction. This is marked by Indians (1.6 million) forming the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia. At present Saudi Arabia is the main supplier of oil to India. “We are ready for greater trade in the energy sector,” Al-Ghamdi said.
Arab News
