India, Saudi Arabia to establish Strategic Partnership Council to coordinate on important issues

India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership Council, resolved to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorist operations and signed 12 MoUs in various areas of mutual interests, taking the bilateral relationship to the next level. The Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Riyad last night.

The Council will be an all encompassing bilateral mechanism which will cover an entire spectrum of relationship between the two countries. Pime Minister’s day long visit to Saudi Arabia was intense on engagement & high on deliverables. Prime Minister who was in Saudi Arabia yesterday met with King Salman & had a fruitful bilateral discussion on matters of mutual interest. Saudi Arabia’s Energy ministers, Foreign Minister, Labour Minister & Agriculture Minister called on the Prime Minister during his visit. Prime Minister Modi also held delegation level talks with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. 

On the sidelines , PM  met with the King of Jordan who was  here to attend the Future Investment Initiative Forum. The two leaders exchanged views



to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors. 12 MoUs related to security ,defence , civil aviation , renewable energy sector , & capacity building was signed during the visit.

The two sides also agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership Council , which will be headed by the top leadership on either side. Ahead of the visit , Saudi Arabia released 450 prisoners as a special gesture. Prime Minister Modi addressed the Future Investment Initiative Forum , which was attended by the Crown Prince too. 

Prime Minister in his address reiterated his government's resolve to make India a five trillion economy . He highlighted to the international investors the prospect of India as an investment destination & said that by 2024, India will invest 100 billion dollars in refineries ,pipelines & gas terminals to create energy infrastructure. Before flying off to India , Prime Minister in a tweet thanked king Salman & Crown Prince for their hospitality & said that interacting with them was always ‘special’.

Prime Minister Modi has returned home after a day long successful visit to Saudi Arabia.