The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz confirmed that both Saudi Arabia and India are striving to achieve a strategic partnership between the two countries that will serve their common interests. In a speech given during talks that King Salman held with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Al-Yamamah Palace yesterday, he stressed Riyadh’s appreciation of New Delhi’s interest in the region’s issues and its support for the stability of the countries in it.

According to a joint statement issued yesterday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Indian Prime Minister agreed to consolidate cooperation and strengthen maritime security in the Gulf region and the Indian Ocean.

The official talks between the two sides culminated in the signing of a cooperation agreement, two programmes of cooperation, an implementation programme and a draft memorandum between the two governments. The most prominent of these agreements were the programme of cooperation to promote investment and the cooperation agreement on public employment.

While King Salman conferred his guest Modi with Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash, the Indian Prime Minister stressed his country’s keenness to develop relations with Saudi Arabia and strengthen them in various fields.

Later, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and efforts to combat terrorism during a meeting with Modi.

Likewise, the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Modi and they discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.