• Latest
  • Trending

Modi hugs Saudi Crown Prince on arrival, expects huge investments in the energy sector

February 19, 2019
Electricity

Power cut schedule for July 5 in Sri Lanka

July 4, 2022
Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

July 4, 2022
Covid health guidelines. Image credits - Phil Hearing / Unsplash (Representational image)

Covid: UK hospital cases set to rise, says health chief

July 4, 2022
Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

July 4, 2022
Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon: Reuters exclusive

Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon: Reuters exclusive

July 4, 2022
Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

July 4, 2022
US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

July 4, 2022
Covid-19 virus evolving to get better at becoming airborne: Report

Nine Omicron symptoms affecting the fully vaccinated – and signs you may have it

July 4, 2022
Gun

Copenhagen shooting: Gunman kills three in shopping mall

July 4, 2022
Miss India: Sini Shetty was announced winner at the grand finale in Mumbai. (Image courtesy: Instagram)

Miss India 2022 winner is Sini Shetty from Karnataka

July 4, 2022
Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

July 4, 2022
The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

July 4, 2022
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Electricity

    Power cut schedule for July 5 in Sri Lanka

    Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

    Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

    Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

    Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    Miss India: Sini Shetty was announced winner at the grand finale in Mumbai. (Image courtesy: Instagram)

    Miss India 2022 winner is Sini Shetty from Karnataka

    The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

    The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

    Karan Adani has a strong enterprising spirit, much like his father. Photo: @AdaniKaran/Twitter

    Meet Karan Adani, son of Asia’s richest man Gautam Adani

    Kanchana Wijsekara

    Companies in Sri Lanka can pay in dollars to receive a weekly assured fuel quota

    Schools. Image credits - Ivan Aleksic @ivalex / Unsplash

    Sri Lanka will close all schools next week due to the ongoing fuel crisis

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

    Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

    Covid health guidelines. Image credits - Phil Hearing / Unsplash (Representational image)

    Covid: UK hospital cases set to rise, says health chief

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    Covid-19 virus evolving to get better at becoming airborne: Report

    Nine Omicron symptoms affecting the fully vaccinated – and signs you may have it

    Gun

    Copenhagen shooting: Gunman kills three in shopping mall

    Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

    Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

    Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family, and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE royal family. Photos: @tamim, @RoyalFamily, @mohamedbinzayed/Instagram

    The world’s richest royal families of 2022 revealed

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo tells Manchester United he wants to leave

    Libyan protesters storm, set fire to parliament building

    Libyan protesters storm, set fire to parliament building

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Kamal Haasan's Vikram is on a rampage.

    Kamal Haasan’s Vikram is the highest-grossing film in Singapore, UK and UAE

    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ celebrates 25 magical years

    Salman Khan

    Plot to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed

    Shah Rukh Khan's Jawaan, to be directed by Atlee, to scheduled for June 2023 release. (Photo: Twitter)

    Shah Rukh Khan announces new film ‘Jawaan’

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’ becomes 3rd-highest-grossing Hindi film

    Popular Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were married Thursday in a private ceremony at their Mumbai residence. Image credits - Sujit Jaswal via AFP / Getty Images

    Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt marry in Mumbai

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    China finds signs of water in moon’s ‘Ocean of Storms’

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    Beetroot is rich in nitrates and is loaded with health benefits. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Drinking beetroot juice daily could help people with heart condition

    Close-up view of a cancer cell. Credit: Alexey Kotelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

    Massive breakthrough as cancer vanishes for all patients in drug trial

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia. CDC | Getty Images

    The Covid conspiracies being recycled for monkeypox

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    Best exercise time differs for men and women, says US study

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Bitcoin. Image credits - Onov3056

    Bitcoin slides below $20,000 to lowest level in 18 months

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Microsoft's Internet Explorer was first included with a Windows 95 upgrade pack. Image credits - Ina Fried/CNET

    End of an era: Microsoft retires Internet Explorer

    Cryptocurrency boom. Image credits - Executium @executium / Unsplash

    Cryptocurrency market value slumps under $1 trillion

    iPhone. Image credits - Tron Le @tronle_sg / Unsplash

    EU deal to force iPhones to use USB-C charger by 2024

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp to get edit button, undo messages and other features soon 

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Electricity

    Power cut schedule for July 5 in Sri Lanka

    Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

    Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

    Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

    Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    Miss India: Sini Shetty was announced winner at the grand finale in Mumbai. (Image courtesy: Instagram)

    Miss India 2022 winner is Sini Shetty from Karnataka

    The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

    The economic aspect of foreign relations in South Asia

    Karan Adani has a strong enterprising spirit, much like his father. Photo: @AdaniKaran/Twitter

    Meet Karan Adani, son of Asia’s richest man Gautam Adani

    Kanchana Wijsekara

    Companies in Sri Lanka can pay in dollars to receive a weekly assured fuel quota

    Schools. Image credits - Ivan Aleksic @ivalex / Unsplash

    Sri Lanka will close all schools next week due to the ongoing fuel crisis

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

    Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

    Covid health guidelines. Image credits - Phil Hearing / Unsplash (Representational image)

    Covid: UK hospital cases set to rise, says health chief

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

    Covid-19 virus evolving to get better at becoming airborne: Report

    Nine Omicron symptoms affecting the fully vaccinated – and signs you may have it

    Gun

    Copenhagen shooting: Gunman kills three in shopping mall

    Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

    Australia scraps Covid-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers

    Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family, and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE royal family. Photos: @tamim, @RoyalFamily, @mohamedbinzayed/Instagram

    The world’s richest royal families of 2022 revealed

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo tells Manchester United he wants to leave

    Libyan protesters storm, set fire to parliament building

    Libyan protesters storm, set fire to parliament building

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Kamal Haasan's Vikram is on a rampage.

    Kamal Haasan’s Vikram is the highest-grossing film in Singapore, UK and UAE

    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ celebrates 25 magical years

    Salman Khan

    Plot to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed

    Shah Rukh Khan's Jawaan, to be directed by Atlee, to scheduled for June 2023 release. (Photo: Twitter)

    Shah Rukh Khan announces new film ‘Jawaan’

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’ becomes 3rd-highest-grossing Hindi film

    Popular Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were married Thursday in a private ceremony at their Mumbai residence. Image credits - Sujit Jaswal via AFP / Getty Images

    Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt marry in Mumbai

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    China finds signs of water in moon’s ‘Ocean of Storms’

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    Beetroot is rich in nitrates and is loaded with health benefits. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Drinking beetroot juice daily could help people with heart condition

    Close-up view of a cancer cell. Credit: Alexey Kotelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

    Massive breakthrough as cancer vanishes for all patients in drug trial

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia. CDC | Getty Images

    The Covid conspiracies being recycled for monkeypox

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    Best exercise time differs for men and women, says US study

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Bitcoin. Image credits - Onov3056

    Bitcoin slides below $20,000 to lowest level in 18 months

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Microsoft's Internet Explorer was first included with a Windows 95 upgrade pack. Image credits - Ina Fried/CNET

    End of an era: Microsoft retires Internet Explorer

    Cryptocurrency boom. Image credits - Executium @executium / Unsplash

    Cryptocurrency market value slumps under $1 trillion

    iPhone. Image credits - Tron Le @tronle_sg / Unsplash

    EU deal to force iPhones to use USB-C charger by 2024

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp to get edit button, undo messages and other features soon 

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Modi hugs Saudi Crown Prince on arrival, expects huge investments in the energy sector

Editor by Editor
February 19, 2019
in Business, India, Politics, Top Story
Reading Time: 7 mins read
3 0
A A
23
SHARES
Share on WhatsApp

New Delhi, February 19 (Agencies/New Indian Express): In a special gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received at the airport here Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signifying the importance India attaches to the visit by the leader of the powerful Gulf nation.

The Crown Prince arrived here on a less than 30-hour visit, a day after concluding his high-profile tour of Pakistan where he said dialogue was the only way to resolve “outstanding issues” between India and Pakistan.

After his arrival, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “A new chapter in bilateral relations. Breaking protocol, PM @narendramodi personally receives HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia as he arrives on his first bilateral visit to India!”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Saudi leader had returned to Riyadh from Pakistan.

He and Modi will hold extensive talks on Wednesday during which India is likely to strongly raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

According to a warm welcome, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday not only received the Crown Prince at the airport in Islamabad but also drove him to PM house.

During their talks on Wednesday, Modi and Salman are also expected to look at ways to enhancing defense ties, including having a joint naval exercise, official sources said.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Crown Prince will leave New Delhi around 11:50 PM on Wednesday.

His visit comes in the backdrop of the escalating tension between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group in which 40 CRPF were killed.

In a joint statement, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday called for avoiding “politicisation” of the UN listing regime at a time when India was stepping up efforts to brand the JeM terror group’s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

The joint statement said the Saudi Crown Prince stressed that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region to resolve “outstanding issues” between India and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad Riyadh will try to “de-escalate” tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack.

Official sources said Saudi Arabia was no longer accepting Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir and cross border terrorism and that India will forcefully raise the issue of Pakistan’s support to terror groups during delegation level talks between Modi and the Crown Prince.

They said the joint statement to be issued after talks between the two sides is likely to have strong reference about terrorism and ways to deal with it.

Official sources said there has been a “change” in the way Saudi Arabia looked at relations between India and Pakistan and that the powerful Gulf nation has a better understanding of the cross-border terrorism.

The sources said the two sides are looking at joint exercise between the two navies besides significantly ramping up overall defence cooperation.

India’s bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia was $27.48 billion in 2017-18, making Saudi Arabia its fourth largest trading partner.

Saudi Arabia is also a key pillar of India’s energy security, being a source of 17 percent or more of crude oil and 32 percent of LPG requirements of India.

Recently, Saudi ARAMCO in partnership with ADNOC of UAE has agreed to partner in Ratnagiri Refinery and Petro-Chemical project Ltd which is a joint venture of $44 billion.

Indian partners are IOC, BPCL and HPCL.

The Crown Prince is expected to travel to China from India.

Importance Of Vist

Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia spoke to The New Indian Express on the Saudi Prince’s visit. Here are his observations:

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first state visit to India which began on February 19 is important for both sides. From the point of view of the kingdom, the Prince is refurbishing his global image after the crisis relating to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

From the Indian side, the Prime Minister is facing elections in an environment of deep communal polarization. So, after the visit, he will be able to proclaim to certain sections of the electorate that he remains a prominent leader on the global scene, and that a country as important as Saudi Arabia is willing to engage deeply with him.

These are the domestic considerations of both sides. If you take a slightly broader view, the visit is a follow up to the Prime Minister’s visit and the regular high-level and steady engagement we have had with Saudi Arabia over the past 10 years.

I believe the Mumbai attack changed the perception of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. It made it very clear that the problem of violence India was facing had nothing to with the Kashmir issue and everything to do with Jihad, something that we had been saying for a fairly long time, but which had fallen on deaf ears till then. So, from that day, there has been steady improvement in security cooperation between the two nations.

It began with the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in February 2010, when we agreed to pursue a strategic partnership and boosted our cooperation in counterterrorism substantially. Our ability to share terror-related information in real time remains a key aspect of the relationship.

Going further, we have a lot to say to each other, and do a lot more. High-level visits have the advantage of focusing the political and bureaucratic leadership on issues that need to be addressed.

The first important issue is energy cooperation. India is a major buyer of Saudi oil, and Saudi Arabia has indicated that they want to invest in the Ratnagiri refinery. This would be a major step forward. I understand that there are some difficulties due to local resistance. But I am hoping it happens.

Also, we are looking at projects in Saudi Arabia, and the Crown Prince has announced this mega city, Neom, which will provide opportunities for Indians.

The other aspect is the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030. Among other things, this looks at employment of young people in the private sector. The Saudi government is no longer capable of employing all the people who are emerging from schools and colleges, and in order to equip them to be self-employed, they need to be trained. India can do a lot when it comes to the development of the services sector there, as well as in honing the skills of young Saudis. The main sectors where India has acknowledged expertise are IT, health, education, and leisure and tourism.

We are an acknowledged world leader in the small and medium enterprises sector too. So, here too, India can contribute to the Vision 2030 programme that the Crown Prince has developed and projected to the international community.

Beyond energy and security, we also have defense cooperation. The progress here is very slow. The idea is that India should contribute to the development of the Saudi defencs sector through tripartite cooperation between Saudi Arabia, UAE and India.

I understand that the primary interactions are taking place with the Indian private sector. But obviously the government will take a look to see what progress is being made in that area.

The last point, which will probably be discussed privately during this visit, is India’s legitimate concerns over the security situation in West Asia. Saudi Arabia has never asked India to pick and choose its partners, and India has the extraordinary achievement of being close to all the countries in the region.

The two countries with which India has substantial historical economic and political ties are Iran and Saudi Arabia. They have been at loggerheads with each other for several years. The concern that we have here is that there are issues on both sides, and the situation has been deteriorating by the day. The problem is that there are no initiatives to get the two nations talking to each other.

I am not talking about mediation, India does not do mediation and does not believe in mediation. I am talking about India initiating a diplomatic process, which would build confidence between these two estranged nations. They have been neighbors for a long time, and for long periods they have shared a camaraderie. It is true that after 2011 there has been a certain estrangement, but it is something that should be addressed diplomatically by the countries concerned, and India is well placed to help them initiate this.

This is vital to India too since it has a high stake in ensuring stability in the region. We have our cooperation in the energy and economic sectors, we have logistical connectivity projects from Iran to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia, and, above all, we have the presence of an 8.5-million-strong Indian community in the region. So, obviously if there is any conflict, a large number of them would be caught in the crossfire.

With the US exercising less of an influence in the Gulf these days, the space is now available for India to put together a diplomatic peace initiative for the region. This is the need of the hour, and everything else pales into insignificance.

The Crown Prince visited Pakistan and Malaysia before coming to India. Saudi Arabia has announced that they will be investing in Pakistan with which it has a strong relationship that goes back to Cold War days. They were both allied with the US and fought with the US in the global jihad in Afghanistan too. So, they have been strategic and defence partners for a very long time.

Now that Pakistan has a new government which is under political and economic pressure, it is not unnatural for the Kingdom to provide investments. We must recognise that many of the countries traditionally close to Pakistan have been very concerned about the rise of extremism in the country, which threatens the region as a whole. This explains why China is so keen on investing in Pakistan. It also explains why Saudi Arabia and UAE are doing the same.

Earlier, the US used to play this role, by providing the political and economic support for successive regimes in Islamabad. I think with the US indicating its unhappiness through some of the tweets of President Donald Trump, it has become even more urgent for other countries to step in. That is how I would read the Saudi initiative with regard to Pakistan. I don’t think it has any element that could be a matter of concern for India. This is a direct relationship between them built on their own concerns.

The other area where India, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share a common interest is Afghanistan. Pakistan and India obviously have very differing views on Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia has been involved with Afghanistan for a very long time.  Saudi Arabia recently played a major role in bringing some sections of the Taliban to the conference table, and facilitated the dialogue between them and the US, which is keen on withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan. The aftermath in Afghanistan once the Americans end their destructive presence there will be a major challenge for all the three nations.

Both Pakistan and India will put across their viewpoints to Saudi Arabia. What we have to say – and I think Saudi Arabia will find this very sensible – is that we need Afghanistan to be united. We need its governmental institutions to be strengthened, and we need to address the scourge of extremism and violence. I don’t think Saudi Arabia will disagree with this position one bit.

A key point. Pakistan does have a certain commitment to the Taliban, but the Taliban of 10 years ago and the Taliban of today are fundamentally different. They have splintered, and large sections may be amenable to a political process. India will have to shape its own initiative in Afghanistan, but I believe that if we make the right presentation to Saudi Arabia, we may find them interested in our gameplan and the vision that we have of a secure Afghanistan at peace with itself.

(Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the Delhi airport)  

 

 

Related Posts

Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?
Around The World

Why is the UK economy suffering more than other countries?

July 4, 2022
Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22
Around South Asia

Bangladesh’s exports climb to a record US$ 52bn in FY22

July 4, 2022
Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon: Reuters exclusive
Around The World

Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon: Reuters exclusive

July 4, 2022
Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  
Bangladesh

Shipping professionals discuss connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram in Bangladesh  

July 4, 2022
US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  
Diplomacy

US bid to rope Sri Lanka into Quad using economic crisis  

July 4, 2022
Miss India: Sini Shetty was announced winner at the grand finale in Mumbai. (Image courtesy: Instagram)
Around South Asia

Miss India 2022 winner is Sini Shetty from Karnataka

July 4, 2022
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for July 5 in Sri Lanka

    44786 shares
    Share 17930 Tweet 11190
  • Foreign Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka; USD, GBP, EUR, SGD, CAD

    1185 shares
    Share 481 Tweet 294
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    784 shares
    Share 326 Tweet 191
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    736 shares
    Share 314 Tweet 176
  • Leader of Bohra community meets President

    668 shares
    Share 271 Tweet 165
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

mersin eskort -

Meritroyalbet

-
Jojobet
- Süperbetin - eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - istanbul avukat