New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met with visiting Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud here during which both sides had a “very useful exchange of views” on the developments in Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific and also reviewed the implementation of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Council Agreement.
This is the first ministerial visit from Saudi Arabia to India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
EAM Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting: “A cordial and productive meeting with Saudi FM HH
@Faisalbinfarhan
.
Discussed our cooperation in the political, security and socio-cultural pillars of our strategic partnership.
“Very useful exchange of views on Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific.”
Both Ministers discussed all issues related to their bilateral relationship and regional and international issues of mutual interest, an official statement said.
The two Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement signed between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019.
They expressed satisfaction at the meetings held under the Agreement and the progress achieved. Both sides discussed further steps to strengthen their partnership in trade, investment, energy, defence, security, culture, consular issues, health care and human resources.
Both Ministers exchanged views on the developments in Afghanistan and other regional issues.
They also discussed bilateral cooperation in multilateral forums such as UN, G-20 and GCC.
The EAM congratulated Saudi Arabia on its successful Presidency of G-20 last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the statement said.
EAM also appreciated Saudi Arabia for the support provided to the Indian community during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged Saudi Arabia to further relax restrictions on travel from India.
