PM TWO

The Prime Minister said he believed India and Saudi
Arabia have "much to gain by cooperating with each other in
combating extremism and terrorism".

"I expect to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and
other regional issues of mutual interest," he said, adding he
has a "vast agenda" for discussions with the Saudi leadership.
Observing that his visit reflected the strong mutual
desire of both countries to reinvigorate the ties, Singh said
India and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed special relations based on
several millennia of civilisational and cultural linkages and
people to people exchanges.
The Kingdom is India's largest and "most reliable"
supplier of energy needs from the region, he said, adding
Saudi Arabia is home to about 1.8 million Indian community
people. As many as 1,65,000 Indian pilgrims perform the Haj
annually, he said.
Though the trade and investment linkages have grown, they
remain much below the potential of two economies and must be
broad-based, said Singh, heading a high-level business
delegation of CEOs including Mukesh Ambani of RIL, Essar's
Shashi Ruia and IT poster boys Azim Premji and S Ramadorai.
Bilateral trade between the two countries during 2008-09
exceeded USD 25 billion. (More) PTI MS
MRD


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