Narendra Modi and Saudi King Salman discuss bilateral ties over phone

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian King, Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, held telephonic discussions. Only three days ago, Dr Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Sati had informed, while talking to the media that a few important announcements, regarding cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia, will be made and both the countries are moving towards strong military cooperation. The talks between Prime Minister Modi and the Saudi King attain significance against this background. The increasing Saudi cooperation with India, at a time, when the Saudi relations with Pakistan are strained also is noteworthy.

Prime Minister Modi said that the challenges posed given the Coronavirus pandemic and the role being played by Saudi as the President of the G20 conference were discussed during the telephonic talk. Prime Minister Modi specially thanked the Saudi King for taking good care of the Indian citizens in Saudi, during the Coronavirus crisis. The Prime Minister’s office informed that both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the strengthening of bilateral relations. But no further details of the discussions, between the two leaders, have been made public.

Only three days ago, during an interview with the Indian media, the Saudi Ambassador to India had said that the bilateral cooperation between Saudi and India is becoming more comprehensive in various sectors. Both the countries are in continuous contact for the exchange of information regarding terrorism and terrorist organisations. The Saudi Ambassador said that the effects of the Saudi-India cooperation against terrorism are becoming visible. The Saudi Ambassador also underlined that both countries are marching rapidly towards strong military cooperation. Saudi Arabian Ambassador also made it clear that Saudi will help India for its energy security and Saudi was committed to this.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are strained. Pakistan had demanded to raise the Kashmir issue in the OIC conference. Following the denial by Saudi, Pakistan took a stand against Saudi. Therefore, Saudi is distraught with Pakistan. Saudi has stopped all the fuel supplies, on credit, to Pakistan. Saudi has taken a decision not to lend any more money to Pakistan and instead start recoveries of the outstanding loans. Against this background, strengthening Saudi-India cooperation becomes a significant development.