Saudi Gazette report
NEW DELHI — Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan held an official talk session on Sunday with Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar here, during his official visit to India, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. This is Prince Faisal’s maiden visit to India
The two sides reviewed the historical and solid relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, and discussed aspects of enhancing joint action and bilateral coordination in regional and international issues of common interest.
The talks dealt with the efforts of the two countries in combating the pandemic. The Indian side valued the Kingdom's standing by India in providing medical aid to confront the crisis of the outbreak of the virus.
They also discussed ways to consolidate the economic partnership between the two friendly countries in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, in addition to discussing intensifying cooperation between the Kingdom and India in the political and economic fields and increasing inter-investment.
The talks reviewed the Kingdom's international efforts to preserve the planet and what was included in the announcement of the Crown Prince of the Saudi Green and the Middle East Green initiatives.
The two leaders exchanges notes on the evolving situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific region and collaboration in the two nation's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Jaishankar also urged Prince Faisal to resume direct flights between India and Saudi Arabia, which remains suspended owing to the pandemic. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar posted snippets from the meeting, calling it “cordial and productive.”
“A cordial and productive meeting with Saudi FM HH @Faisalbinfarhan.”
“Discussed our cooperation in the political, security and socio-cultural pillars of our strategic partnership,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The two ministers also reviewed the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement, signed between India and Saudi Arabia during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Kingdom in October 2019.
"The two ministers reviewed the implementation of the 'Strategic Partnership Council Agreement' signed between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019," the MEA said.
They elaborated that the delegates led by the two leaders held discussions on steps to strengthen their partnership in trade, investment, energy, defense, security, culture, consular issues, healthcare and human resources.
Prince Faisal arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit on Saturday evening. Following his meeting with Jaishankar on Sunday at Hyderabad House, Delhi, he is set to hold discussions with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on the same day. He will also call on Premier Narendra Modi on Monday, said the Ministry of External Affairs.
“The visit of Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Bin Abdullah Al Saud, minister of foreign affairs, comes as a continuation of engagements at the highest level between Saudi Arabia and India.
“The interactions between His Highness and Indian officials will focus on our multi-faceted cooperation with our strategic partner, including on trade, investment, energy, security, defense, health and others,” Saudi Ambassador Dr. Saud Mohammed Alsati told The Print.
Ambassador Alsati added that the two countries “enjoy a great equation that has been in existence over many centuries”.
“From trade to investment, energy to heath, security to defense, culture to tourism — our ties are friendly, strong and time-tested. We have maintained high level exchanges and this visit by Prince Faisal comes in this context,” Alsati said.
Earlier in August, Saudi Arabia lifted the quarantine rule for Indians who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Gulf country. Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir last month.
Prince Faisal and Jaishankar will meet again in New York for the UN General Assembly on Sept. 21.
