India, Saudi Arabia to hold talks today

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold extensive talks with her Saudi Arabian counterpart Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir on Tuesday during which they will discuss entire gamut of bilateral ties besides regional and global issues of mutual interests. Al-Jubeir’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, one of the most powerful Arab nations, from April 2.

Saudi Arabia is India’s largest crude oil supplier accounting for about one-fifth of the country’s total imports. The Gulf nation is India’s fourth largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $40 billion in 2014-15.

Indians are the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia whose contribution in the progress and development of the country is well recognised. There are over 2.96 million Indians currently working in Saudi Arabia. “During the visit, the two ministers will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the External Affairs Ministry said.