RIYADH, 21 January — Saudi Arabia and India have decided to intensify bilateral relations in the energy and IT sectors within the framework of the Saudi-Indian Joint Economic Commission. This was decided at a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal and India's Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh yesterday.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also attended by K.V. Rajan, permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office, Swash Pawan Singh, joint secretary, R.S. Jassal, Foreign Office spokesman, and India's Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad.
Singh, who arrived here on a three-day visit to the Kingdom on Friday, has met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdullah, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard and Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, besides Prince Saud. Singh handed a message from Indian President K.R. Narayanan to King Fahd.
The meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah was attended by Muhammad Al-Twaijri, advisor to the Crown Prince, Abdur Rahman Al-Ohali, Saudi ambassador to India, and other high-ranking officials.
Briefing the Saudi and Indian journalists at the Media Center, Rajan said their views coincided on all matters -- international, regional and bilateral.
Both sides agreed that there should be frequent contacts between the two countries under the umbrella of the Saudi-Indian Joint Economic Commission, which should be reinvigorated.
Rajan quoted Prince Saud as saying that the two sides should strengthen economic ties through the promotion of trade and investment. They also agreed to set up joint working groups in the energy, industry and IT sectors to identify new areas of cooperation.
They also decided to boost investment and promote joint ventures in the two countries. Both countries agreed that since India was a major importer of Saudi oil, there was a need for setting up energy-related projects in India and Saudi Arabia.
At a meeting with Minister of Industry and Electricity Dr. Hashim Yamani, the Saudi side expressed keen interest in investing in energy-related projects in India. "The prospect of Indian investment in energy-related industry in Saudi Arabia was specially welcomed."
Referring to the proposed agreement on co-operation in combating crime, international terrorism and drug trafficking, Rajan said it had to be rescheduled as Prince Naif was set to leave for Yemen. In reply to a question, he said they should not read too much into the delay on the signing of the agreement.
On regional issues, both India and Saudi Arabia shared the view that Israel should halt the genocide in Palestine and implement all the UN Security Council resolutions for durable peace in the Middle East.
Prince Saud has asked India to take initiative on the Middle East issue in view of its international stature and strong ties with the Arab countries.
Asked if Kashmir had figured during the talks, Rajan said Jaswant Singh had briefed Prince Saud on India's stand over Kashmir. He said Prince Saud showed great understanding of the issues involved and hoped that both India and Pakistan would resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully through a negotiated settlement.
The question of Afghanistan, specially the security threat posed by Taleban to India, also came up during the discussions.
Among other topics raised was the World Trade Organization, whose membership is being sought by both countries.
The official said one of the topics raised during the talks was the transfer of land to the Saudi Embassy in Chanakyapuri Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi. "The matter has been pending for quite sometime. We have indicated that the solution is near," he added.
