At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, H. E.  Mr. Pranab Mukherjee paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 19-20 April 2008. On his arrival at Riyadh in the morning of 19^th April, the Hon’ble Indian Minister was received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani; the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to India Mr. Saleh Mohd Al-Ghamdi; the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. M.O.H.Farooq and representatives of the royal protocol.

Few hours after his arrival, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud received the Indian Foreign Minister and the accompanying delegation at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace. During the audience, various issues of mutual interest were discussed. The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Mr. Saleh Al-Ghamdi was present at the meeting.

Late afternoon of the same day, the Hon’ble Indian Minister laid the foundation stone of the new Indian School compound in Riyadh, which was followed by a dinner at the residence of Indian Ambassador.

At 9.30 AM of the second day of the visit, the Indian Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on HRH Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh. At 1:00 p.m., official talks between HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal and the Hon’ble Indian Foreign Minister  were held t with the delegations of the two countries in attendance. During the talks that lasted one and a half-hour, the two sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interest in detail. Ambassador Al-Ghamdi was also present at the meeting, which was followed by a working lunch hosted by HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal  at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thereafter, the Hon’ble Indian Minister left for the airport on his way back to New Delhi.

The visit of the Indian Foreign Minister to Riyadh was very fruitful and it will go a long way in enhancing the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India.