Riyadh gears up to receive Indian PM

[EjazR]

Riyadh gears up to receive Indian PM - Arab News

RIYADH: Hundreds of Saudi and Indian flags have decorated the streets of Riyadh since Tuesday to welcome Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will begin his three-day official visit to the Kingdom on Saturday. At the same time, senior Saudi and Indian government officials are busy in making elaborate arrangements to host the Indian political and business establishments as well as fine-tuning several draft accords to be signed during the visit, the first by an Indian premier since 1982.

“The visit of Prime Minister Singh, which takes place four years after the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to New Delhi, will boost Saudi-Indo relations further and change the dynamics of our strategic ties,” said Saudi Ambassador to India Faisal H. Trad, here on Tuesday.

Trad, who is here to prepare for Singh’s visit, said that some 11 agreements had been finalized for signing during the visit of the Indian premier, who will be accompanied by ministers and officials.

“History will be made in Saudi-Indo relations when Singh holds talks with King Abdullah,” said Ambassador Trad. A media office has been set up by the Indian Embassy at the Riyadh Palace Hotel to help local journalists and take care of the needs of the newspersons accompanying the premier.Referring to major agreements to be signed during the visit, Trad pointed out that an agreement to promote media cooperation involving the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and the Press Trust of India (PTI) would be signed.

This will be in addition to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) and India’s Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses. Another MOU will be signed to promote cultural cooperation by organizing cultural weeks and events in respective countries.

Asked about any other accord that is being drafted for signature during Singh’s visit, Ambassador Trad said that other agreements such as an extradition treaty and an agreement to facilitate the transfer of sentenced prisoners had been reported in the Saudi and Indian media. The visit, he said, will also boost cooperation in education, economy and the manpower sectors. He noted, “The Saudi mission in New Delhi alone issues 600,000 visas every year to Indian nationals for visits and employment. I am not including Haj visas which amount to another 170,000,” said Trad.

“There are 365 recruitment agencies listed with our embassy in New Delhi, besides 400 in Mumbai,” he said. On the trade front, he said that there was barely any crude import by India from Saudi Arabia before 2006. India used to import oil from the UAE, but now Saudi Arabia has edged past the UAE to become the biggest supplier of crude to India, he noted.

Some 500,000-600,000 barrels of crude a day are exported from Saudi Arabia to India, he added. He pointed out that Indian manufacturers and suppliers could now be big winners, since a Saudi Aramco procurement subsidiary had also opened an office in India.

“This will make it easier for Indian manufacturers to provide materials and equipment to Saudi Aramco for use in its industrial facilities and massive construction projects,” he said. Thus it will boost Indian exports to Saudi Arabia in a big way, he added.

 

[EjazR]

Indian premier visit to review Saudi-Indo ties - Arab News
By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: Terrorism and cooperation in security with special reference to the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East region will be key issues that India will take up with the Kingdom when Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah holds talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Feb. 28.

“This will be the first visit to Riyadh by an Indian prime minister in the last 28 years and it will be an extremely important occasion to review Saudi-Indo relations,” said Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad on Saturday. “King Abdullah and the Indian premier will discuss a range of bilateral, regional and international issues including Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Yemen,” he added. Ahmad said Singh will be accompanied by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, for whom King Abdullah’s wife Princess Hessah Al-Shalan will host a reception on the sidelines of the visit. Singh will also be accompanied by a number of Indian businessmen. A contract to set up a $680 million joint investment fund will also be signed during the visit.

Riyadh and New Dehli will sign nine agreements including an extradition treaty, an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, an agreement on scientific cooperation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peaceful use of outer space, an MoU on cooperation in IT and services, and an agreement between the Center for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC) and KACST on cooperation in IT and services.

Singh will deliver a speech at the Shoura Council on March 1 in which he will share his perspectives on Saudi-Indian ties. “The centerpiece of the business segment of the visit will be addressed by Singh at the Council of Saudi Chamber on Feb 28,” said Ahmad. Singh will wrap up his three-day visit to Riyadh on March 1 immediately after meeting the Indian community the same day.

 

[EjazR]

Text of Prime Minister’s interview with Saudi journalists

Q. 1. Hon. PM Both India and Saudi Arabia have hailed the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to New Delhi in January 2006 as a landmark development marking the start of strategic relations between the two countries. Today, nearly four years later, what is your assessment of the progress made in this reinvigorated partnership that was initiated as part of King Abdullah’s ‘Look East’ policy? What are the most significant achievements so far?

Ans.: The visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to India as Chief Guest at our Republic Day in January 2006 was a landmark event. This was the first visit of a Saudi ruler to India after 50 years. The Delhi Declaration signed by His Majesty King Abdullah and me enshrined our commitment to pursue a common strategic vision for promoting regional peace and security and for the enhancement of our relations in the political, economic, security and cultural fields.

We have made considerable progress in realizing our vision to strengthen our bilateral partnership. There have been regular high level Ministerial exchanges as well as intensified interaction among the business community, academia and other sections of society. The meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission took place in November 2009, which has put in place an ambitious agenda for bilateral cooperation. Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trading partner with two-way trade of over $ 25 billion. The number of joint ventures in the Kingdom is over 500 with an estimated investment of over US$ 2 billion. We welcome increased investments from Saudi Arabia into India especially in the infrastructure sector where mutually beneficial opportunities exist.

Q. 2. Please give me a brief synopsis of the talks that you intend to have with King Abdullah and other senior Saudi officials during your visit to Saudi Arabia this month. The visit is significant for Riyadh since an Indian PM will be visiting the Kingdom after 28 years.

Ans.: India and Saudi Arabia belong to the same extended neighbourhood. In the Delhi Declaration, we had pledged to work together not just for our bilateral benefit, but also to promote peace, stability and security in the region and the world. Both King Abdullah and I reject the notion that any cause justifies wanton violence against innocent people. We are strong allies against the scourge of extremism and terrorism that affects global peace and security.

During my visit, I propose to discuss with King Abdullah how can we promote greater stability and security in the region. We also have a substantial agenda for the advancement of bilateral relations in diverse areas such as trade and investment, energy, defence and security, social and cultural cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. I look forward to interacting with the members of the business community in Saudi Arabia and inviting them to be a partner in India’s rapid socio-economic transformation through major infrastructure, energy, industry and services related projects.

Q. 3. Which are the agreements or MoUs, India will sign with the Kingdom during your visit? Please name them and spell out briefly the features of those agreements.

Ans.: Several cooperation agreements are likely to be signed during my visit which will represent a broad range of Indo-Saudi cooperation in the fields of economic cooperation, culture, science and technology and information technology. I am confident these will further enrich our close relations.

Q. 4. Your visit to the Kingdom takes place at a time when that region is in the midst of tension in Iran and also in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the US and the Western countries continuing to exert pressure on Iran over the nuclear issue. What role do you foresee India playing in this context in partnership with the Kingdom?

Ans.: We are witnessing significant geo-political developments, which will directly impact on the peace and stability in the region. All these issues need to be addressed through sustained efforts. I believe that India and Saudi Arabia, as two major countries in the region, have an important stake and responsibility in this regard. In my dialogue with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, I propose to review the regional scenario, and discuss how we can work together to address the complex issues at hand.

Q. 5. How do you assess India’s partnership with the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, when it comes to fighting terrorism? What collective measures India, with SAARC states and Gulf states, are taking to combat this evil?

Ans.: Terrorism remains the single biggest threat to peace, stability and to our progress. Global efforts are needed to defend the values of pluralism, peaceful co-existence and the rule of law. All the member countries of the GCC share India’s concerns relating to extremism and terrorism. We reject the idea that any religion or cause can be used to justify violence against innocent people. We have institutionalised our cooperation with the Gulf countries by putting in place various security cooperation agreements, including extradition treaties.

SAARC as an organisation has committed itself to fighting terrorism. The SAARC Council of Ministers Meeting in February 2009 issued a Ministerial Declaration on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism. Given the fact that today extremist and terrorist activities straddle South Asia and West Asia and constitute a grave threat to our peoples, I agree that the SAARC and GCC anti-terrorism efforts should be more effectively coordinated.

Q.6. Does India intend to conclude a defence pact with the Kingdom?

Ans.: We do not have a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. Since the visit of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to India four years ago, our defence ties have, however, diversified and become more substantial. We have exchanged visits of our service Chiefs and naval ships, and Saudi officers have participated in our training programmes, including at the prestigious National Defence College. We look forward to deepening our defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Q. 7. There is concern in the Middle East about growing Indo-Israeli defense cooperation in recent times, which many fear could be at the expense of India's traditional support for Arab causes. How do you address this concern?

Ans.: I would submit that this concern is misplaced. Our relationship with no single country is at the expense of our relations with any other country. Indeed, India’s relations with the countries in West Asia gives us the opportunity to interact in diverse ways with this very important region.

As far as India’s support for Palestine is concerned, this is an article of faith for us. Our solidarity with the people of Palestine predates our independence. India supports a peaceful solution that would result in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Road Map and the relevant Security Council Resolutions. We also support the Arab Peace Plan.

I recently had the pleasure of hosting His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas and reiterating to him our steadfast support for Palestine and its people.

Q. 8. How do see the future relationship of India with Arab world?

Ans.: India’s ties with the Arab world go back several millennia. While we recall our historic ties with great pride, we do recognize that relationships have to be constantly nourished and revitalized so that they respond to new realities and aspirations. India and the Arab world are witnessing a rapid modernization of their societies and economies. The India of today is vastly different from what we were at the time of our independence. The same is true of the Arab world.

There is no conflict of interest between us. To the contrary, our destinies are tied together and we have much to gain by intensifying our cooperation with each other. We have a huge stake in each other’s success, and to that extent ours is a relationship that is of strategic importance.

I would like to see a much greater integration of our economies, higher flow of trade and investment, better connectivities and freer flow of ideas and people. This has in fact been our historical legacy, and we should revive that legacy. From our side, there are no impediments to a rapid, sustained and comprehensive expansion of relations between India and the Arab world.

Q. 9. How can India play more active role in enhancing the dialogue between east and west? How do you view king Abdullah’s initiative for the interfaith dialogue which started in Madrid? What role can Indian Muslims can play to enhance the inter faith dialogue?

Ans.: India is a 5000 year old civilisation that today represents a confluence of religions, languages and cultures. We deeply value the principles of peaceful co-existence and harmony among nations. We will continue to work with all like-minded countries to create a just and equitable international order that is conducive to meeting the challenges of poverty, illiteracy and hunger.

We deeply appreciate and support the idea of an inter-faith dialogue. The knowledge of religious beliefs and practices of other people is important in itself and can foster greater understanding and tolerance. We have experience of this in our own country. Islam is an integral part of India’s democratic and secular fabric. Muslims in India are part of our national mosaic, and have enriched our society. Like all other Indians, they enjoy the full protection of our laws, and the full rights guaranteed to every Indian under our Constitution.

Q. 10. Some 1.8 million Indians live and work in Saudi Arabia. What steps is your government taking for their welfare?

Ans.: We are extremely proud of the fact that the Indian community in the Gulf region has been contributing to the socio-economic development of the region. There are over 5 million Indian workers in the Gulf, of which almost 2 million live and work in Saudi Arabia alone. We are very grateful for the warm welcome they have received throughout the region.

The welfare of such a large overseas Indian community is a matter of high priority for my government. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, which we had set up six years ago, has worked tirelessly for the welfare of the Indian community in consultation with the host governments. The governments of several GCC countries have themselves set up mechanisms such as grievance redressal bodies and labour courts that are working closely with our officials. In addition, we have signed MoUs on labour and manpower with most of the GCC countries.

At the Indian end, we are in the process of reforming our own procedures, including better regulation of the recruitment process. We have also put in place arrangements in all Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, to respond to workers’ grievances. These include a 24-hour helpline, temporary shelters, counseling centres, and strengthened Community Welfare Wings in our diplomatic Missions.

Q.11. Your stated position is that while India is ready to keep talking to Pakistan, the stalled peace process can resume only if Islamabad acts against the alleged planners of the Mumbai attack. With the announcement of resumption of dialogue on secretaries level, does this considered a change in the government stand. What will be the basis of the forthcoming dialogue ?

Ans.: There is no change in our position. We seek a peaceful and normal relationship with Pakistan. We should be good neighbours. In that quest we have consistently sought to engage those in Pakistan who are ready to work with us. There is no alternative to dialogue to resolve the issues that divide us. Today the primary issue is terrorism.

Q.12. How serious is the Pakistan Taliban threat to India, especially to Jammu & Kashmir which has bubbled up again. How could the Kashmir issue be solved once and for all?

Ans.: As a neighbour, we cannot remain immune to the rise of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan, or on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Extremism and terrorism are major threats not only to India, but also to Pakistan, and all its other neighbours. It is in our collective interest that we resolutely oppose, resist and overcome terrorism and all those who nurture, sustain and give sanctuary to terrorists and extremist elements.

It is a fact that Jammu and Kashmir and its people have suffered repeatedly at the hands of terrorism from across the border. This has militated against the will of the people of the State, who have time and again voted in large numbers in democratic elections to unambiguously reject violence. We have taken several measures for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, and for its people to live in peace and harmony, as in the rest of the country. In so far as our dialogue with Pakistan is concerned, we are ready to discuss all issues with them in an atmosphere free from terrorism.

Source: India MEA website Ministry of External Affairs, INDIA

 

[Luftwaffe]

How could the Kashmir issue be solved once and for all?

UN Charter and to settle the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through peaceful means and in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir. Withdraw forces leave Kashmir land it over to the rightful owners..

 

[Isaq Khan]

Indian PM Dr. MM Singh will deliver a speech at the Shoura Council which i think a honor by Saudi Arabia.

 

[EjazR]

^^^
If someone kows about the Conservative Saudi Establishment, there are a number of things that are highly path breaking for the Indian visit

* Deliveiring a speech to the Shoura Council i.e. the Saudi Parliament is a rare opportunity that very few head of states have gotten.

* The most prominent wife of King Abdullah will hold a special banquet for the wife of the Indian PM. Of course this will be a women only event, but in a conservative setup this is also a very significant event which shows the importance given by the Saudis for this visit.

* The signing of MoU of co-operation between the only Saudi defense think tank NAUSS and the most prominent Indian one IDSA is also quite significant.

All in all, the Saudis are giving this visit as much importance as we gave them during the 2006 republic day celebrations where King Abdulla was invited as chief guest for the parade.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Man be Man Mohan is there to discuss Palestine ?

 

[EjazR]

Palestine will only be one area of interest among others.

Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Talmiz Ahmad told the media that the talks will also focus on Palestine, besides the situation in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

“Security cooperation will constitute the basis of our dialogue. Both countries are extremely concerned about the rise of extremism and violence, directly threatening our security,” he said.

Mr. Ahmed said both India and Saudi Arabia are aware of the connectivity of extremist forces that have sanctuary and safe haven in the AfPak border area and are seeking to penetrate other countries of the region, the envoy said.

“India is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is concerned about the situation in Yemen,” he said.

The Hindu : News / National : India, Saudi Arabia to ink extradition treaty during Manmohan visit

 

[Isaq Khan]

^^^
If someone kows about the Conservative Saudi Establishment, there are a number of things that are highly path breaking for the Indian visit

* Deliveiring a speech to the Shoura Council i.e. the Saudi Parliament is a rare opportunity that very few head of states have gotten.

* The most prominent wife of King Abdullah will hold a special banquet for the wife of the Indian PM. Of course this will be a women only event, but in a conservative setup this is also a very significant event which shows the importance given by the Saudis for this visit.

* The signing of MoU of co-operation between the only Saudi defense think tank NAUSS and the most prominent Indian one IDSA is also quite significant.

All in all, the Saudis are giving this visit as much importance as we gave them during the 2006 republic day celebrations where King Abdulla was invited as chief guest for the parade.

Thanks for update and keep it up

 

[Roby]

RIYADH: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday on the first visit by an Indian premier to the oil kingpin in 28 years with energy imports, Middle East peace and militancy on the agenda, reports AFP.

He was greeted by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Singh said in a newspaper interview published ahead of his arrival that he will seek to strengthen cooperation on fighting terrorism and promoting regional stability.

“India and Saudi Arabia belong to the same extended neighbourhood,” he told the Saudi Gazette.

“During my visit I propose to discuss with King Abdullah how we can promote greater stability and security in the region,” he said.

“Both King Abdullah and I reject the notion that any cause justifies wanton violence against innocent people.

“We are strong allies against the scourge of extremism and terrorism that affects global peace and security.”

The two sides are concerned about Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups with footholds in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where Saudi Arabia wields influence.

At least nine Indians were among 16 people killed in a militant attack in the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai telephoned the Indian premier to offer his condolences earlier Saturday. Singh conveyed India's “outrage” at the strike, a statement from the Indian leader's office said.

Iran's nuclear drive is also a joint concern for India and Saudi Arabia, though more nuanced for India which has its own nuclear arsenal.

“Our view is that Iran is a signatory to the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty); it is entitled to all the rights that go with its membership of the NPT; and it must also observe all the obligations that go as part of the membership of the NPT,” said Singh.

The United States has accused Iran of violating its NPT obligations by seeking to develop nuclear weapons, which Iran denies.

Also on the agenda are the growing economic ties between fast growing Asian powerhouse and the world's leading oil exporter.

Saudi Arabia is India's biggest crude supplier, accounting for 20 percent of the country's total consumption, according to Indian industry body FICCI.

Ahead of his departure for Riyadh, Singh lauded the kingdom as India's “most reliable” energy source in the region.

He said there was “great scope for opening new frontiers of cooperation” in such areas as security, defence, science and technology.

Bilateral trade is running at more 25 billion dollars a year, he said.

There are also an estimated 1.6 million Indians working in Saudi Arabia, mostly low-skilled workers, who remit several billion dollars back home each year, an important source of foreign exchange for India.

The two governments are due to sign nine agreements on expanding cooperation in the hydro-carbon sector, an extradition treaty and agreements on science and technology during the visit.

Indira Gandhi was the last Indian prime minister to visit the kingdom in 1982.

 

[12345]

How could the Kashmir issue be solved once and for all?

UN Charter and to settle the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through peaceful means and in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir. Withdraw forces leave Kashmir land it over to the rightful owners..

You cant just go by the wishes of the people all the time.Just like the wishes of tibetians and wishes of balochistanis,wishes of east turkmenistanis,............

Many conflicts will occur.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Indian trolls derailed this thread and now u get replies.
I reported posted but to no avail so i think we have a right to reply to some trolling inb..ds.
U com to someones house u stay and respect the owner u dont crap all over his house but most indians dont understand that,

 

[desiman]

Indian trolls derailed this thread and now u get replies.
I reported posted but to no avail so i think we have a right to reply to some trolling inb..ds.
U com to someones house u stay and respect the owner u dont crap all over his house but most indians dont understand that,

I understand your logic but tell that to some Pakistani members who start crying the same thing again and again like they always do about Indian poverty, toilets etc etc specially windjammer. When you post such aggressive videos you are bound to get a reply also. Trolling is from both sides and not limited to one. I think YouTube should be banned from PDF so save every thread from being derailed my immature members. There are many good members here to come to discuses meaningful issues but when a person starts to post illogical and demeaning videos from YouTube, it totally wrecks every thread. Its really frustrating, i dont think PDF has one thread without stupid videos being posted all over them. Seriously people GROW UP.

 

[Windjammer]

SELF DELETED TO SHOW HIGH MORAL GROUND.

 

[Windjammer]

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