India,
Saudi Arabia sign four agreements
by Vikram Vishal
New
Delhi: India and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed four
accords after one-on-one talks between Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh and visiting Saudi Arabian King Abdullah
bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in New Delhi. The four agreements
inked by the two sides include cooperation in combating
terrorism, bilateral investment promotion and protection,
double taxation avoidance and cooperation in the fields
of youth affairs and sports.
During the discussion between the two leaders, which lasted
for about 45 minutes, issues relating to bilateral relations
as well as an overview of regional issues, international
issues, global concerns figured among others. India's relations
with its neighbours and energy security were also discussed.
At the delegation-level talks, Dr Singh underlined the importance
that India attached to King Abdullah's visit and to India's
long- term relations with Saudi Arabia, saying the two countries
have tremendous potential of trade and economic possibilities.
DR Singh also mentioned the impact that this relationship
could have on many issues of global concern. "We look at
Saudi Arabia as a very important partner in combating global
terrorism and in that context this particular MoU (memorandum
of understating) which has been signed on combating crime
will further strengthen cooperation in this regard. Other
agreements will lay the groundwork for a closer economic
relationship," DR Singh stated. He also briefed the Saudi
delegation on current economic status and the direction
of country's reforms and said that he would invite the Saudi
business community to take advantage of this situation particularly
in gas, petroleum, infrastructure, fertilizer industries.
The Prime Minister further mentioned that India has one
of the largest group of pilgrims which go for Haj in Saudi
Arabia and expressed his gratitude for the care that is
taken for their pilgrimage by the Saudi Arabian government.
Asserting that the relationship between India and
Saudi Arabia should be strengthened, King Abdullah said
that the agreements met between the two sides would be important
steps in this process. Emphasising on the need to work together
on terrorism, the Saudi King said that this was a long-term
struggle but "this was one which will be carried on until
this scourge is completely eliminated". He went on to add
that they were also against any support to terrorism whether
it be of a financial nature or a moral nature. On India-Pakistan
relations, the visiting King said that they were "naturally
interested in a better relationship between India and Pakistan".
In the delegation-level talks, the Prime Minister was assisted
by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj
Patil, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer, Sports Minister
Oscar Fernandes, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan
and other senior officials. The Saudi King was joined by
his Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faizal Bin Abdul Aziz
Al Saud, Chief of the Saudi Intelligence, Chief of the Saudi
National Security Council and other senior members of his
delegation. King Abdullah, who will be the chief guest at
the 57th Republic Day parade on Thursday, will meet Vice
President Bhairon Sinhgh Shekhawat, UPA Chairperson Sonia
Gandhi and Opposition Leader in Lok Sabha L K Advani on
January 27. This will be followed by a visit to the Jamia
Milia Islamia University where the King will be conferred
with an honorary Doctorate by the University. He will leave
in the evening the same day.
Warm
welcome accorded to Saudi King
New Delhi: The King
of Saudi Arabia , Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud was today
given a formal ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of Rashtrapati
Bhavan, the Presidential Palace. The King was received by
President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh soon after he disembarked from his car. He was then
escorted by Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan
Dasmunshi, who was acting as the Minister of Protocol, to
the ceremonial dais. Thereafter, he reviewed the inter-services
guard of honour. After the ceremony, the Saudi King was
introduced to members of the Indian Cabinet by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh was also introduced to the Saudi
delegation accompanying the King.
Talking
to reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony, the King
said that he was extremely happy to visit India and looked
forward to attending the Republic Day celebrations of the
country on Thursday, besides having fruitful discussions
with the Indian leadership on ways to further enhance bilateral
ties between the two countries. He then left with his entourage
for Hyderabad House for a one-to- one discussion with Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, which was followed by delegation-level
talks. At the time of the filing of this report, the talks
were still in progress. King Abdullah arrived in New Delhi
on Tuesday night on a landmark four-day visit, the first
by a Saudi monarch in 51 years, signalling a major transformation
in relations between oil rich Saudi Arabia and energy-seeking
India. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, defying protocol,
received the Saudi monarch at the Palam Technical Area.
Several senior government functionaries were present. The
Saudi Monarch, who came from Beijing, arrived at 7.15 p.m.,
about two hours late. King Abdullah will be the chief guest
at the Republic Day parade. His talks with Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh are expected to focus on bilateral, regional
and international issues which will be followed by the signing
of several landmark agreements. India and Saudi Arabia will
sign three agreements--a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
on combating terrorism, a Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty
and one for promoting bilateral investment. The Union Cabinet
gave its approval for the signing of the treaties last week.
The issue of hydrocarbon cooperation will also be a component
of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Saudi
King. Officials said India has a strong assurance from Saudi
Arabia that any incremental requirement will be met by them.
Saudi
Arabia accounts for almost a quarter of India's total imports
of oil of 1.9 million barrels per day. King Abdullah, who
is accompanied by a large delegation, including his Ministers
and prominent Saudi businessmen, will also address a business
summit. A special session of the India- Saudi Arabia Business
Council will be held during the visit. The King will inaugurate
a Saudi exhibition and witness the signing of Trade Agreements.
He will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam on Wednesday
evening. On January 27, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Opposition Leader in Lok
Sabha L K Advani will call on him. This will be followed
by a visit to the Jamia Milia Islamia University where the
King will be conferred with an honorary Doctorate by the
University. He will leave in the evening the same day.
Saudi
Arabia and the other five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
member-states---United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain
and Kuwait---have always been of great significance for
India, located as they are in its immediate neighbourhood.
The visit is also important as it is taking place about
one and a half years after an agreement between India and
the GCC countries to establish multi-dimensional economic
partnership as a prelude to a free trade area between the
two regions. The oil-rich region is one of India's most
important sources of supply of crude oil and home to about
3.5 million Indians who send about six billion dollars back
home every year in remittances. As a group, the GCC is India's
second largest trading partner. It is the single largest
origin of imports into India and the second largest destination
for exports from India. Besides, India is home to the second
largest population of Muslims after Indonesia while Saudi
Arabia is the birthplace of Islam.
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