Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening arrived in New Delhi for a two-day official visit. He was warmly received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport.
Modi said, “India is delighted to welcome HRH Mohammed Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.”
After Salman’s arrival, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “A new chapter in bilateral relations Breaking protocol, PM @narendramodi personally recieves HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia as he arrives on his first bilateral visit to India!”
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with the Crown Prince at the Hyderabad House. The two sides will also sign several agreements after the talks.
India and Saudi are expected to sign five agreements in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting. Informing about the visit, Secretary, Economic Affairs in the External Affairs Ministry T S Tirumurti said:
According to the official sources, Modi and Salman are expected to look at ways to enhancing defence ties, including having a joint naval exercise.
The two nations are expected to set up a ”Strategic Partnership Council” at a ministerial level.
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Tuesday said, “As Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrives in Delhi, his decision to reward Pakistan by giving them a $20 billion package,96 hours after our jawans were martyred is most unfortunate I expect the Prime Minister to convey the nation’s sentiments to the Saudi Arabian delegation.”
