PM arrives in Riyadh on three-day visit to Saudi Arabia

V Mohan Narayan
Riyadh, Feb 27 (PTI) Relationship between India and
Saudi Arabia would get a major fillip as Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Saturday began his long overdue visit to this
oil-rich country during which the two sides will sign an
Extradition Treaty and 10 other pacts in various fields.

Singh, who arrived here Saturday on a three-day
visit, was accorded a red-carpet welcome at the King Khalid
International Airport.
Amid his keenness to impart "strategic character" to
India-Saudi Arabia ties, Singh will hold wide-ranging talks
with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on issues ranging
from cooperation in various areas, situation in Afghanistan
and the threat of terrorism.
India's concerns over 'safe havens' of Al-Qaeda and
Taliban along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border will be also
discussed during the talks between Singh and King Abdullah.
Saudi Arabia itself has concerns with regard to
Al-Qaeda operating out of Yemen.
Singh is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit
Saudi Arabia in 28 years. Indira Gandhi had visited the
country in 1982, while Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Saudi
Arabia in 1956. (MORE) PTI VMN
PRS


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.