PM Modi embarks on a day-long visit to Saudi Arabia today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to Saudi Arabia today. Mr. Modi will reach Riyadh tonight the Prime Minister will address the third session of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative Forum tomorrow. Mr. Modi will have a bilateral meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and hold delegation-level talks with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The Saudi Prince will also host a banquet dinner in his honour.

Our correspondent reports that the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia has two important components – the first is the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the second , where Prime Minister is the keynote speaker at the Future Investment Initiative Forum at Riyadh. Dubbed as the ‘Davos of the Desert’, the Forum projects the Kingdom as the investment hub of the region. India and Saudi Arabia are likely to sign twelve agreements in key areas like civil aviation, defence procurement, security cooperation, non-renewable energy sector during the upcoming visit.

But most importantly, an MoU is likely to be signed to establish the Strategic Partnership Council for both the countries. Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with King Salman and delegation level talks with Crown Prince Mohd bin Salman.The visit is very high on deliverables and is expected to strengthen the existing relationship between the two countries. Both countries have strong people to people contact. Around 2.6 million Indians are living in Saudi Arabia and send back remittances to the tune of 11 million dollars annually.