(a) Whether the Government propose to further strengthen bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia.
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) Whether certain areas have been identified for the purpose;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) Whether any Indian delegation was scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia recently;
(f) if so, whether the same had been posponed; and
(g) if so, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANT SINGH)
(a & b) Yes Sir, India and Saudi Arabia already have cordial relations and efforts continue to further strengthen Indo-Saudi Relations.
(c & d) High level political interaction, increase in bilateral trade and employment of about 1.5mn Indian in Saudi Arabia are the main areas of co-operation.
(e,f & g) Our External Affair Minister along with a delegation was to visit Saudi Arabia recently. However the visit was postponed owing to the Middle East crisis, and the pre-occupation of Saudi leaders with the Extra-ordinary Arab Summit and other important meetings amongst Arab leaders.