New Delhi: India's ties with the Arab world are poised for a major expansion when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes to Saudi Arabia this summer, the first by an Indian prime minister since Indira Gandhi last visited that country 25 years ago.
The prime ministerial visit will take place in May or June and exact dates of the visit were being worked out, reliable sources said Monday.
Manmohan Singh's visit to Riyadh will focus on cementing cooperation with the most influential country in the Gulf, home to over 1.6 million-strong Indian diaspora, in crucial areas like combating terrorism and expanding two-way trade and investment between the two countries.
Manmohan Singh's follows the historic trip by King Abdullah last year here after a gap of 51 years that placed the burgeoning relationship in the larger context of regional stability and prosperity.
King Abdullah was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade last year - a singular honour meant to underscore special ties between the two countries that are looking at each other afresh in a changed world order.
Manmohan Singh is likely to visit one more country in that region, the sources said.
Comments
0 comment