Security issues in West Asia and parts of South Asia will be the focus of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's talks with Saudi leaders during his three-day visit to the Kingdom starting Feb. 27. Addressing a press conference here Saturday, Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad said Singh will lead a high-level delegation of senior ministers, officials, chairpersons of companies and media persons. Singh will hold talks with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on a number of bilateral and regional matters of mutual concern that include political, economic and cultural issues, he said. The talks will also focus on the Palestinian issue, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, the ambassador said. There is a deep concern both in India and Saudi Arabia about the sense of insecurity and instability that is pervasive across West Asia and parts of South Asia from Palestine to Pakistan, he said. “Therefore, 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. India is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is concerned about the situation in Yemen,” he said. Both countries are also aware of the connectivity of extremist forces that have sanctuary and safe haven in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas and today are seeking to penetrate other countries of the region, the envoy pointed out. The two leaders will also look at expanding the bilateral relationship in both the political and economic areas, he said. “We hope to put in place institutionalized dialogue to promote mutual interest in foreign affairs, intelligence, defense, energy and various other areas of immediate and direct interest to both countries,” he said. The two countries will sign an extradition treaty, a number of agreements involving the transfer of sentenced persons and scientific and technological cooperation and memoranda of understanding on the peaceful use of outer space and cooperation in information technology and services, the ambassador said. Some other bilateral agreements are under negotiation and will be signed at a later date, he said, without specifying the proposed agreements. Singh will address the Shoura Council on March 1, which Ahmad described as a rare honor for a visiting foreign dignitary. “Dr. Singh will highlight the important and constructive role played by Majlis Al-Shoura in the political and economic development of Saudi Arabia,” Ahmad said. In his address Singh will also share his perspectives on Indo-Saudi ties, and the political and economic challenges facing the regional and international communities, he said. Singh will be accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, who during the stay in Riyadh will visit the Prince Sultan Service Committee, Al-Nahda Women's Philanthropic Society and the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, a landmark in the capital. Singh's visit comes four years after the visit of King Abdullah to India in January 2006. “It was a landmark visit because it put in place the vision of a joint partnership between India and Saudi Arabia based on substantial political and cultural exchanges,” the ambassador said. Singh will also address the Indian community before leaving Saudi Arabia on March 1, Ahmad said.
