NEW DELHI: After pledging $ 20 billion to Pakistan and praising Pakistan's anti-terror efforts Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promised to stand by India in its fight against terror.
Terrorism and extremism are "common concerns" and Saudi Arabia will extend all cooperation to India and other neighbouring countries to deal with them, the Saudi Crown Prince said on Wednesday after holding "extensive and successful" talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his media statement, Modi called the attack a "cruel symbol" of the scourge of terrorism and sought punishment for the terrorists and their backers. The crown prince did not mention the strike.
"Last week's barbaric Pulwama attack was a symbol of the shadow of the inhuman danger hovering over the world. To deal with the scourge, we have agreed that there was a need to ramp up pressure on countries extending any sort of support to terrorism," Modi said, without naming Pakistan.
He said dismantling terror infrastructure, eliminating support to terrorism and punishing terrorists and their supporters are very necessary.
The two sides inked five pacts to expand cooperation in a range of areas, including trade and investment.
The crown prince, in his media statement, described terrorism and extremism as common concerns and said his country will extend support to India and other neighbouring countries to deal with the challenge.
"As far as terrorism and extremism are concerned -which are common concerns - I want to tell India that we will extend all cooperation to you - be it intelligence sharing...not only with India but also with the neighbouring countries," he said.
"We will work together so that we can ensure a bright future for the generations to come," he added.
In his address, Modi also called for a strong action plan for combating extremism and so the powers spreading violence and terror cannot mislead the youth.
Modi termed the talks "extensive and successful".
The crown prince arrived here on a less than 30-hour visit Tuesday night, a day after concluding his high-profile tour of Pakistan where he said dialogue was the only way to resolve "outstanding issues" between India and Pakistan.
In a special gesture, Modi received Salman at the airport here, signifying the importance India attaches to the visit by the leader of the Gulf nation.