This move is a part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s vision of imparting quality education to the youth. Then what best way for the youth to learn? Visit the place and get to know the people along with the place.

The initiative also bolsters King Abdullah’s efforts to achieve world peace through promoting dialogue among followers of various religions and cultures.

Yousuf Al-Saadoun, undersecretary for economic and cultural affairs at the Saudi Foreign Ministry and head of the 40-member Saudi youth delegation, stressed the need for youth to interact with their counterparts to further knowledge and ties. The delegation visited New Delhi and India’s IT hubs of Bangalore and Hyderabad in 10 days.

The Saudi youth forum was the fourth in a series, three of which were conducted earlier in China, Brazil and Germany.

Al-Saadoun, while stressing that the visit was in the framework of the initiative taken by King Abdullah to achieve world peace through promoting dialogue among followers of various religions and cultures, said Saudi youths were able to convey a message of peace and love to all peace-loving people of the world. He noted that the visit helped the Saudi youth to get a deep understanding of India and its diverse culture, while calling them “future decision makers.”

“When we strive to further strengthen our bilateral relations, we have to give the youth an opportunity for holding dialogue and making contributions to crystallize bilateral and international cooperation programs,” he said.

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed highlighted the excellent relations between Riyadh and New Delhi in various fields that dates back to centuries, while Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said that more than the political or economic contacts between the two countries, it is the ties between people that will strengthen the relationship.

A member of the Saudi delegation summed up the meeting.

"We are inspired to meet such a dynamic and young leader from India. He understands the importance of engaging the youth in a country's development," said Al-Bara Al-Ohali.

Both delegations issued a joint message in which they commended leaders of India and Saudi Arabia, besides presenting their visions and proposals aimed at bolstering bilateral relations with a special focus on boosting cooperation in the fields of communications and IT and exchange of knowledge and expertise on youth-related issues. Both sides have also proposed joint solutions in science, medicine and technology fields, especially making available of medical services to remote regions with the help of advanced technology. In a message to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon they outlined their hopes, aspirations and recommendations to promote youth participation as well as their call for world peace.

The delegation also proposed the establishment of an e-trade portal to make available basic needs of life  — food, medicines and clothing for the needy people across the world.

The Saudi youth had interactions with prominent Indian figures, including former President and world-renowned nuclear scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as well as ministers, senior officials and executives especially in the fields of communications and IT during the visit.

The delegation showed interest in the Indian government's National Optical Fiber Network for providing broadband connectivity to rural areas.

The delegation's visit to Narayan Hrudalaya telemedicine project in Bangalore was the most engaging, a member had said. "E-health in Bangalore was very strong. It is a lesson we would like to take back home," a delegate had said.

The delegation also visited the Indian Space Research Organization in Bangalore and Google Microsoft office and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, among others, in Hyderabad. In Delhi, they visited the Indian Institute of Technology, the Nasscom office and places of cultural interest.

The Saudi youth delegation, on a perception-changing visit to India, got firsthand experience of the country’s software power at Infosys Ltd, a leading IT company. They also visited some higher education institutes that spawn technology experts and business managers, including L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research campus.