The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India hosted a farewell lunch at Hotel Oberoi in New Delhi on Thursday, 5^th June 2008 in honour of the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Saleh Mohd. Al-Ghamdi. The Ministry was represented in the function by MEA Secretary (East) and Joint Secretaries for Gulf and West Asia & North Africa. The Arab Ambassadors and Heads of Missions accredited in India also attended the farewell.

In the evening of the same day, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in India, the Ambassador of Bhutan also hosted a reception to bid farewell to Ambassador Al-Ghamdi, which was attended by Ambassadors of foreign countries accredited in India. During the function, the Dean presented to Ambassador Al-Ghamdi a silver plate on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps in India, as is the practice on such occasions.