On the occasion of the 60th Republic Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia.
The strong bilateral relationship between India and Saudi Arabia is a reflection of the deep socio-cultural and economic ties spanning over centuries. The bonds of friendship between the two countries are based on our shared history and heritage, our affinities and commonalities. The state visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, to India in January 2006 provided a strong impetus to bilateral relations and the “Delhi Declaration” signed during the visit continues to guide our ever-strengthening bilateral ties.
The bilateral relations were further strengthened by the exchange of several high-level visits last year. Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee paid a visit to the Kingdom in April 2008 and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal visited India twice, in February 2008 and December 2008. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, along with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, attended Jeddah Oil Summit in June 2008.
The economic ties between the two countries are robust and diversified due to complementarities in their economies. The last year witnessed a steady increase in bilateral trade, including petroleum products, and visits of several delegations. Today, India is the fifth largest trading partner of Saudi Arabia and the fourth largest market for Saudi exports.
The bilateral cooperation has moved beyond the traditional spheres of political and economic ties and both countries are now collaborating in the frontier areas of science & technology. The scientific and educational institutions of both the countries are exploring possibilities of cooperation in advanced areas like information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and space technology.
I would like to express my gratitude to the 1.6 million-strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia for their positive contribution in strengthening the bilateral relations. The Indian expatriate community is known for its hard-working, diligence, and law-abiding nature, a fact acknowledged and appreciated by Saudi society and its leadership.
It would be a remiss if I failed to mention the recent Mumbai terror attacks. Undoubtedly, international terrorism has emerged as a global problem, no longer being limited to a particular country or region, and is the most serious threat to international security and peace. India has been the victim of terrorism for more than two decades and has suffered numerous terror attacks targeted at its pluralistic and liberal society; attack on Indian Parliament in December 2001, Mumbai train blasts in July 2006, Jaipur bomb blasts in May 2008, bomb blasts in Gujarat in July 2008, attack on Indian Embassy in Kabul in July 2008 and the barbaric terror attacks on Mumbai in November 2008. The Mumbai terror attacks were a grim reminder of the grave threat posed by terrorism to the pluralistic and civilized societies, as Mumbai is the best-known symbol of free, pluralistic, dynamic and cosmopolitan India. These terror attacks have failed to achieve their objectives and have only further strengthened our resolve and determination to fight this global menace.
International community has expressed its solidarity with India in our fight against terrorism and has appreciated the restraint exercised by India in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks. We appreciate the visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to India in December 2008 to convey the condolences on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to the people of India and victims of the Mumbai terror attacks. Prince Saud called for the formation of a special body under the umbrella the United Nations for combating all forms of terrorism. India and Saudi Arabia have suffered the ravages of terrorism and are determined to cooperate in eradicating the phenomenon of terrorism. The scourge of terrorism must be fought with strong resolve and the conspirators, perpetrators and supporters of terror acts should be punished.
I conclude by expressing my confidence that the Indo-Saudi relations will achieve new heights in the coming years, fuelled by expansion in our areas of cooperation and the active efforts of the people and governments of both the countries.
Jai Hind.
M.O.H.Farook
India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia