Jaishankar attends Saudi Arabia National Day function in New Delhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 24

Characterising Saudi Arabia’s relations with India as a close friend and a strategic partner, the country said through the mechanism of Strategic Partnership Council, both sides were working to further strengthen the ties.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has valued India as a close friend and an important strategic partner,” Ambassador Saud Alsati said in his 90th National Day address here.

“Our cultural, socioeconomic engagement and strategic partnership is based on mutual respect and shared interest…Saudi Arabia and India identify tens of opportunities of joint collaboration and investments across various sectors,” said the Ambassador.

The event held at the Embassy premises on Wednesday was among the first receptions in the Covid-19 unlock period.

A limited number of guests were invited where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was the Chief Guest. Among those present were National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Diplomatic Heads from the United States, Palestine, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Nigeria among others.

Ambassador Alsati said the bilateral trade grew significantly in the first few years with the current trade value of around USD 34 billion.

He said Saudi Arabia, which took over the presidency of G20 last December, took measures to restart global growth and prioritise focus on public health.

In response to the commitment made during the Extraordinary G20 Leader’s Virtual Summit, Saudi Arabia pledged $500 million to relevant international organisations to support global efforts in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.