April
03, 2016
Saudi-Indian
Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia
Saudi-Indian
Joint Communiqué
- At the invitation of the Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Prime Minister
of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi paid a two-day official visit
to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2-3 April 2016.
- The Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques received Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 3 April at the Royal
Court. The two leaders held discussions in the spirit of the strong
friendship that binds the two countries and their peoples. During
the visit, Prime Minister Modi also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Interior, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Al-Saud, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. Prime
Minister Modi also received Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of
Health and Chairman of the Executive Board of Saudi Aramco.
- The Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prime Minister Modi exchanged views
on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The two
leaders underlined the close and friendly bilateral ties, deep-rooted in
shared history and sustained and nourished through growing economic
partnership, multi-faceted cooperation and vibrant people to people
contacts. The wide-ranging and constructive discussions were held in a
cordial atmosphere and enabled better understanding and appreciation of
each other’s concerns and perspectives, recognizing the close interlinkage
of the stability and security of the Gulf region and the Indian
subcontinent and the need for maintaining a secure and peaceful
environment for the development of the countries of the region.
- Both leaders expressed
appreciation for the successful transformation of bilateral relationship
in political, economic, security, defense, manpower and people to people
exchanges, in recent years, which have enriched bilateral ties. They
expressed satisfaction at the regular exchange of high-level visits
between the two countries, underlining that the Delhi Declaration (2006)
and the Riyadh Declaration (2010) elevated the mutually beneficial
bilateral relations to the level of 'Strategic Partnership'.
- Cognizant of their responsibility
for promoting peace, stability and security in the region and the world,
the two leaders emphasized the importance of further cementing bilateral
strategic engagement, including in the areas of security and defense
cooperation, to serve the common interests of the two countries and their
peoples.
- Prime Minister Modi acknowledged
that the MoU on Defense Cooperation signed during the visit of King Salman
bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to
- India in February 2014 as the then
Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia was an important milestone in strengthening the strategic
partnership between the two countries. The two leaders agreed upon the
need to intensify bilateral defense cooperation, through exchange of
visits by military personnel and experts, conduct of joint military
exercises, exchange of visits of ships and aircrafts and supply of arms
and ammunition and their joint development. They also welcomed the
decision for convening of the second meeting of Joint Committee on Defense
Cooperation in Riyadh to follow up on the visit of Prime Minister Modi.
- The two leaders agreed to enhance
cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian
Ocean regions, vital for the security and prosperity of both countries.
They further agreed to promote bilateral collaboration for humanitarian
assistance and evacuation in natural disasters and conflict situations.
- The two leaders expressed strong
condemnation of the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, irrespective of who the perpetrators were and of their
motivations.
- Affirming that the menace of
extremism and terrorism threatens all nations and societies, the two
leaders rejected totally any attempt to link this universal phenomenon to
any particular race, religion or culture. They called on all states to
reject the use of terrorism against other countries and dismantle
terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any
kind of support and financing to the terrorists operating and perpetrating
terrorism from their territories against other states; and bring
perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice.
- The two leaders agreed to further
strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, both at the bilateral level
and within the multilateral system of the UN. The two leaders called upon
the international community to strengthen multilateral regimes to
effectively address the challenges posed by terrorism. The two sides
agreed to work together towards the adoption of India’s proposed
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
The Indian Prime Minister lauded the Kingdom's efforts in fighting terrorism
in terms of thought, organization and financing and the Kingdom's
participation in the international efforts of fighting terrorism including
its participation in the International Coalition and its initiative in
forming the Islamic Military Coalition to Fight Terrorism. The two
sides called for supporting United Nations Center for Combating Terrorism,
which was established following a vision launched by late Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in 2005.
- Acknowledging and commending their
strong bilateral security cooperation, the two leaders agreed to enhance
cooperation in counter¬terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and
capacity-building and to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement,
anti*money laundering, drug-trafficking and other transnational crimes.
They welcomed the signing of an MOU on cooperation in exchange of
intelligence related to money laundering, related crimes and terrorism
financing. The two sides further agreed to take action against illegal
transfer of money.
- Both leaders agreed to promote
cooperation in cyber security, including prevention of use of cyber space
for terrorism, radicalization and for disturbing social harmony. The two
leaders directed their relevant agencies to coordinate efforts to counter
radicalization and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting
hatred, perpetrating and justifying terrorism for pursuing political aims.
The two leaders welcomed exchanges and dialogue between religious scholars
and intellectuals of both countries and the organization of conferences
and seminars to promote values of peace, tolerance, inclusiveness and
welfare, inherent in all religions.
- Reiterating the significance of
regular bilateral interactions in reinforcing the momentum for bilateral
cooperation, the leaders noted with satisfaction the increase in
high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent years. They
underlined the importance of regular exchange of visits, including at the
levels of ministers and senior officials.
- Both leaders appreciated the
well-functioning bilateral institutional mechanisms in the field of trade
& investment, energy, defense and manpower. They noted that new and
potential areas of cooperation identified during the meetings held under
these mechanisms had a constructive effect on the expanding bilateral ties
and further called for effective implementation of the decisions made
under the framework of these mechanisms.
- The two leaders welcomed the
positive outcomes of the 11th session of the Joint Commission Meeting held
in New Delhi in May 2015 and its Review Meeting held in Riyadh in December
2015. The two leaders mandated the Saudi-India Joint Commission to
continue follow up of the decisions taken at the highest levels for
cementing the bilateral strategic partnership.
- Acknowledging the on-going
positive transformation of the economies of India and the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, the two leaders emphasized the importance of expanding trade and
investment ties to drive the strategic engagement forward. They directed
their Finance and Trade Ministers to work together to find ways and means
to substantially increase the flow of bilateral investments and growth of
trade ties.
- Acknowledging the steady increase
in bilateral trade over the last few years, the two leaders expressed
satisfaction at the USD 39 billion trade in 2014¬-15. Taking note of the
excellent trade and economic engagement, with the two countries being
among the top trading partners for each other, the two leaders agreed upon
the need to further strengthen these ties, particularly through
diversifying non¬oil trade.
- Both leaders expressed
satisfaction at the growing presence of Indian and Saudi companies in each
other's market and agreed to further encourage trade promotion measures
and participation in fairs and exhibitions. They welcomed the meeting of
Saudi India Business Council in New Delhi in December 2015 and agreed that
Council was a useful platform for furthering trade and economic
cooperation.
- The two sides conveyed
satisfaction at the holding of the 4th India GCC Industrial Forum at King
Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah in November 2015. The Saudi side thanked
India for active participation of a large number of Indian companies in
the International Fairs and Exhibitions held in Riyadh and Jeddah.
- The Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz lauded the strong growth shown by Indian
economy and expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's remarkable
vision for the future of the country. He commended Prime Minister Modi’s
worthy initiatives of "Start Up India", "Make in
India", "Smart City”, and "Clean India”, noting their
strong potential to provide Indian economy a positive thrust for growth.
- The Indian side highlighted the key
initiatives taken by the Government of India to improve the ease of doing
business in the country and India's key efforts to simplify and
rationalize existing rules and relax the foreign direct investment norms
in key areas, including railways, defense and insurance. Inviting the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be a partner in India's growth story, Prime
Minister Modi encouraged Saudi Aramco, SABIC and other Saudi companies to
invest in the infrastructure sector in India and to participate in
projects creating mega industrial manufacturing corridors, smart cities as
well as the Digital India and Start up India programs.
- The Saudi side expressed its
interest in investing in infrastructure development in India, especially
in priority areas such as railways, roads, ports, and shipping. The Saudi
side welcomed interest of Indian side in investing in the Kingdom,
especially taking advantage of the competitive investment opportunities
offered by the Saudi economic and Industrial cities.
- Both leaders also welcomed the
signing of the framework agreement between the General Investment
Authority in Saudi Arabia and Invest India aimed at facilitating
investments by the private sectors in the two countries.
- Keeping in view the importance of
energy security as a key pillar of the strategic partnership, the two
leaders expressed satisfaction at their growing bilateral trade in the
energy sector, acknowledging the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the largest
supplier of crude oil to India.
- The two leaders agreed to
transform the buyer-seller relationship in the energy-sector to one of
deeper partnership focusing on investment and joint ventures in
petrochemical complexes, and cooperation in joint exploration in India,
Saudi Arabia and in third countries. The two sides also agreed to focus on
areas of training and human resources development and cooperation in
research and development in the energy sector. In this regard, the two
leaders expressed the need for regular meetings under the umbrella of
Indian-Saudi Arabia Ministerial Energy Dialogue.
- The two leaders agreed to
strengthen cooperation between educational institutions, universities and
higher research institutions of the two countries.
- Both leaders emphasized the
importance of continued promotion of scientific and technological
collaboration, including in the areas of renewable energy including solar,
Information and Communication technology, space technology, sustainable
development, arid agriculture, desert ecology, urban development,
healthcare and biotechnology.
- Recognizing the vibrant people to
people contacts that provided strong bonds between the two countries, the
two leaders lauded the valuable role of the Indian community in Saudi
Arabia and its contribution to the progress and development of both India
and Saudi Arabia. They welcomed the signing of an agreement on labor
cooperation for recruitment of General Category Workers. Both sides also
welcomed the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Consular issues
under the umbrella of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission to discuss
consular issues on a regular basis.
- Prime Minister Modi conveyed his
sincere appreciation for the excellent arrangements made by the Saudi
authorities for the comfort of the Haj and Umrah pilgrims from India.
- The two leaders discussed regional
and international issues of mutual interest, including the security
situation in West Asia, Middle East and South Asia, in the light of their
common interest in the regional and global peace, security and stability.
Referring to the earlier declarations with regard to the situations in
Yemen and Syria, they called for the implementation of relevant UN
Security Council resolutions (2216, 2254 and 2268). They also expressed
grave concern regarding security situation in Libya and Iraq. In this
regard, they reiterated the importance of peaceful resolution of these
issues through dialogue and political negotiations.
- The two sides expressed their hope
for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in accordance with
the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy,
in a way that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,
including the establishment of their independent, united and viable state,
with East Jerusalem as its capital.
- Both leaders emphasized the
importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a UN
reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global
challenges. They stressed upon the urgent need to pursue UN reforms,
including of the Security Council through an expansion in both categories
of its membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective.
- The leaders agreed that the visit
of Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia helped in further consolidating and
deepening the strategic partnership framework and further development of
excellent bilateral relations in all spheres, to serve the common
interests of the two countries and their peoples.
- Prime Minister Modi expressed his
sincere gratitude to King Salman for the warm welcome and gracious
hospitality. He invited the King to pay an official visit to India at
mutually convenient time, which was gladly accepted.
