Prince Salman, who is on a four-day official visit to India, said: “Our religion, Islam, rejects terrorism, killings and causing harm to people. Saudi Arabia’s stand on this issue is very clear.”
The Indian foreign minister agreed with Prince Salman on the need for a complete war against terrorism. “We both agree that the fight against terrorism should be carried out in a comprehensive manner,” said Krishna, who called for the combating of terror in both countries.
Prince Salman underscored the deep-rooted relations between Saudi Arabia and India and hoped his visit would contribute to strengthening bilateral ties further. “My talks with the foreign minister covered a number of issues related to bilateral relations and international developments,” he added.
The governor noted the role that the visits of high-level officials play in boosting ties. The visits of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to New Delhi and that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Riyadh have been instrumental in taking Saudi-Indian relations to new heights. “I am here representing Saudi Arabia and to talk about its policies. I would like to tell you that our policy is to strengthen cooperation and friendly relations with other countries and I am sure it would benefit people in both our countries,” the prince said.
Krishna expressed his delight at Prince Salman’s visit and said it would open new horizons of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields.
Prince Salman’s meeting with Krishna was attended by Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, special adviser to the governor, Riyadh Mayor Prince Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, Saudi Ambassador to New Delhi Faisal Trad, and other princes and senior officials.
Prince Salman also met on Tuesday with Deputy Speaker of Rajya Sabha K. Rahman Khan, who commended the Kingdom’s excellent relations with India. On his part, the governor noted India’s desire to establish strategic relations with Saudi Arabia and work together for world peace and security.
Ambassador Trad, meanwhile, hosted a dinner banquet in honor of Prince Salman and his accompanying delegation, which was attended by prominent Indian officials including Rahman Khan and State Minister for Railways E. Ahamed. Salman also met with Saudi students pursuing higher studies in Indian universities.
Prince Salman arrived here on Sunday at the head of a high-level delegation. He held talks with Indian President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari and met Indian businessmen and industrialists.
