Saudi Arabia, India expand strategic partnership council to boost cooperation

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Saudi Arabia and India established two ministerial committees on defense and tourism on Wednesday, in the latest effort to enhance strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The move came at the end of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the kingdom, during which he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments.

Bin Salman and Modi agreed to expand the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council to include two ministerial committees on defense and tourism, they said in a joint statement cited by the state news agency SPA.

According to the statement, both leaders exchanged views on current regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Indian premier arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official visit, his third to the kingdom since he became prime minister in 2014.