Indo-Pak chill: Saudi Foreign Minister coming

NEW DELHI: Amid the fresh chill in the Indo-Pak ties, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Saud Al-Faisal will be in New Delhi on a brief visit on Friday during which New Delhi is expected to urge the influential Arab nation to use its influence on Islamabad to end cross-border terrorism.

Al-Faisal will hold detailed talks with external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee during which the Indian side is expected to share evidence about involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the November 26 Mumbai attacks.

The Saudi minister, who will be here for a few hours, is expected to be apprised about how 10 heavily-armed terrorists  were trained in Pakistan and sent from Karachi to launch well-coordinated attacks in Mumbai in which over 180 people,
including 26 foreigners, were killed.

Saudi Arabia has immense influence on Pakistan and India is seeking to utilise it to ensure that Islamabad ends cross-border terrorism.

New Delhi has already reached out to Saudi Arabia in this context and the Royal government has indicated support to India's case.

India is urging the international community, particularly those having leverage with Pakistan, to build pressure on Islamabad.