New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at Hyderabad House here on Sunday, during which the two sides discussed developments in Afghanistan and ways to take forward bilateral ties in the areas of defence, trade. , investment and energy.
Describing the meeting as “cordial and productive”, Jaishankar and he had “very fruitful exchanges” of views with Al Saud on Afghanistan, the Gulf region and the Indo-Pacific.
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“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 fruitful exchange of views on Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific,” he tweeted.
Jaishankar said he urged the resumption of direct flights to Saudi Arabia, adding that it had agreed to work together on all COVID-related challenges.
Urged to resume direct flights to Saudi Arabia. Agreed to work together on all COVID related challenges including travel,” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform.
The two ministers discussed all issues relating to their bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release.
The MEA said that 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.
“He expressed satisfaction at the meetings held and the progress achieved under the agreement. The two sides discussed further steps to strengthen their partnership in trade, investment, energy, defence, security, culture, consular issues, health care and human resources.
The MEA further said that the two ministers exchanged views on Afghanistan and other regional issues and also discussed bilateral cooperation in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, G-20 and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Foreign Minister congratulated Saudi Arabia on the successful presidency of the G20 last year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Appreciating Saudi Arabia for the support it has provided to the Indian community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaishankar urged the country to further relax restrictions on travel from India.
In the first ministerial visit to India from Saudi Arabia since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Saud arrived in New Delhi on Saturday evening on a three-day visit.
The visiting foreign minister is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
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