Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], April 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud held bilateral discussions and a Strategic Partnership Council meeting, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan announced in a press briefing.

The meeting between the two leaders began with a reference to the terror attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and both leaders condemned the attack.

While addressing a special briefing on PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan said Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud conveyed his condolences to India over the Pahalgam attack and offered help to India. Indian envoy said that the meeting between the two leaders was 'fruitful, substantial, and forward-looking.'

Speaking on PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, Khan said, 'Honourable Prime Minister arrived in Jeddah today afternoon on a State visit at the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the 3rd visit of the Honourable Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the previous visit in 2016 and 2009. This was the first visit of the Honourable Prime Minister to the historic city of Jeddah. This visit also follows the landmark visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to India in September 2020. Honourable Prime Minister had an extensive schedule of engagements today.'

'The Honourable Prime Minister was received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al Salam Palace this evening. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Palace. It was followed by detailed bilateral discussions and also the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. These two meetings were followed by an informal meeting between the two leaders. The meeting began with a reference to the unfortunate terror attack that had happened in India. Both leaders expressed their condemnation of the terror attack. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince, conveyed his condolences and sympathies and offered any help in this regard to us,' he added.

Suhel Ajaz Khan said that PM Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud discussed bilateral ties and progress made in the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor.

On meeting between PM Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Khan said, 'The Prime Minister's bilateral meeting was very fruitful, substantial, and forward-looking. Both leaders discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including energy partnerships, defence, trade, investments, technology, culture, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister and His Royal Highness also discussed the progress in the India Middle East Europe Economic corridor, and both the leaders agreed that it is a vision which is beneficial to everyone in the region, and they agreed to expedite the work on the....'

Both leaders also discussed other issues of interest. Prime Minister thanked his Royal Highness for taking care of the welfare of 2.7 million Indian diaspora members living in the kingdom. His Royal Highness particularly mentioned his appreciation of the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the kingdom. He said that everyone in Saudi Arabia loves Indians and there is no Saudi who doesn't have Indian friends. He emphasised that in the next few years, due to many big developmental projects, they are looking at increasing the number of Indian workers in India. Prime Minister and His Royal Highness also co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The two leaders reviewed the work under various committees, and they signed the minutes of the Strategic Partnership Council,' he added.

He also spoke about PM Modi's other engagements, including his meeting with yoga expert Padmashri Nouf Marwaii.

On PM Modi's other engagements in Saudi Arabia, he said, 'Honourable Prime Minister, apart from his engagements at the Royal Palace, also met the Indian community earlier today. He also received yoga expert Padmashri Ms Nouf Marwaai and he's also going to receive the Secretary General of the Muslim World League later today.'

Suhel Ajaz Khan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded special honours, including a 21-gun salute, upon his arrival in Jeddah. He said that PM Modi was escorted by Saudi Arabia's fighter jet when he entered Jeddah.

Khan said, 'As you know, the Prime Minister shares a very warm, close, and personal relationship with His Royal Highness Crown Prince, and the warmth and close friendship were very visible during this visit. We are also grateful for the warm welcome given to the Honourable Prime Minister on his arrival in Jeddah. As you know, he was accorded special honours, including a 21-gun salute.'

The aircraft of the Prime Minister was escorted by a Saudi fighter jet when it entered the Jeddah airspace. These elements exemplify the importance that Saudi Arabia attaches to its relations with India. The Saudi official delegation comprised several senior ministers, including the Minister of Energy, Minister of Sports, Interior, National Guards, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Investment, Deputy Governor of Mecca and also the governor of the Public Investment Fund,' he added.

Suhel Ajaz Khan said that the two leaders agreed to expand the scope of the Strategic Partnership Council and welcomed the decision to collaborate on establishing two oil refineries as a joint venture in India. He also announced that two nations signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia said, 'As you know, the two leaders also agreed to expand the scope of the Strategic Partnership Council, and it has been agreed that from the current 2 committees we will have 4 committees in the Strategic Partnership Council, and the 2 new committees which have been agreed upon are on the defence cooperation and another is on the tourism and cultural. Both leaders also welcomed the discussions under the joint high-level task force on Investment. They welcomed the decision to collaborate on establishing two oil refineries as a joint venture in India.'

'They also welcomed the progress that has been made in the areas of taxation and the forward-looking agreements made to facilitate investment on both sides. There were four MoUs signed, one on the space between the Saudi Space Agency and the Department of Space of India. Another MoU on health was signed between the Saudi Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Indian counterpart. There was also a MoU signed between the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee and the National Anti-Doping Agency of India, and there was an agreement between the Saudi Post Corporation and India's Department,' he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day State visit to Saudi Arabia. Upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia, he interacted jovially with the members of the Indian community. (ANI)