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Need action on 'scourge' of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia's Mohammad bib Salman in joint statement

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS began his two-day visit to India on Wednesday.

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(Reporting by Sidhant Sibal)

Trade and terrorism figured prominently on the agenda at the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on a two-day visit to India. At a joint press conference, the Saudi prince termed terrorism a 'scourge' which needs to be acted against.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, referred to as MBS, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by talks and a banquet at Hyderabad House. His two-day visit to India comes after a similar visit to Pakistan, where he had pledged $20 billion in funds to the cash-strapped country.

This is the second meeting PM Modi and MBS in the three months. The two leaders last met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina on November 30, 2018.

Addressing a joint news conference, PM Modi called for increased international pressure on countries that support terrorism. Recalling the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, PM Modi said, "The attack shows the inhumane face of this scourge and threat to the world. To act effectively against terror, both agree, pressure needs to be put on countries who support terror.  We need to destroy the infrastructure of terror and those who support terror. We need a common action plan against extremism."

MBS reflected agreement on these concerns. "We would like every kind of cooperation with India, especially on intelligence sharing. Not only India, we will also work with countries in the region to act against the scourge to have a better future," he said.

PM Modi and MBS witnessed the signing of five MoUs between the two countries. These concerned investment in India's infrastructure, tourism and housing; a Framework Cooperation Program between Invest India and Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and the public broadcasters of both the countries. Saudi Arabia has also joined the International Solar Alliance, becoming the 73rd country to do so. India's e-visa programme for Saudi Arabian citizens was also expanded. 

Riyadh and New Delhi have agreed to hold summit level meetings once every two years, and also on the need to establish of a strategic partnership council at a ministerial level.

Saudi Arabia's growing cooperation with India was characterised by PM Modi's decision to break protocol and receive MBS at the airport on his arrival. Other world leaders who have had PM Modi meet them on the tarmac include former US President Barack Obama (2015), Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (2018), Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein (2018), UAE's' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2017) and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina (2015).

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