India, Saudi Agree To Work Together With G-20 & Multilateral Organisations

S Jaishankar has his first visit to Saudi as External Affairs Minister

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held "warm and productive" talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan during which they discussed current global political and economic issues and agreed to work closely together with G-20 and multilateral organisations.

During his three-day visit to Suadi Arabia, S Jaishankararrived on Saturday to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties between the two countries. It is his first visit to Saudi Arabia as External Affairs Minister.

Moreover, as per the officials, on Sunday, S Jaishankar co-chaired with his Saudi counterpart the first ministerial meeting of the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation (PSSC), established under the framework of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

While taking Twitter, S Jaishankar wrote in English and Arabic: "Warm and productive meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan this afternoon. Co-chaired the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Partnership Council."

Further, the minister added, they discussed current global political and economic concerns. "Agreed to work closely together in G20 and multilateral organizations," he added.

India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Jaishankar addressed diplomats at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh. During his address, the minister underlined the importance of the strategic relationship between the two countries and said that the collaboration between them holds the promise of shared growth, prosperity, stability, security and development.

"Addressed diplomats at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh this morning. Underlined the importance of India-Saudi Strategic Relationship at a time when the world is at crossroads," he said in a tweet.

"Our collaboration holds the promise of shared growth, prosperity, stability, security and development," he added in another tweet.

More than 18 per cent of India's crude oil imports are sourced from Saudi Arabia. During FY22 (April -December), bilateral trade was valued at USD 29.28 billion. During this period, India's imports from Saudi Arabia were valued at USD 22.65 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth USD 6.63 billion.