Modi meets Saudi Prince, builds a 'strategic partnership'

PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and discussed deepening cooperation in trade and investment, energy security and counter-terrorism with the "invaluable strategic partner" in Osaka.

Osaka (Japan):Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia - Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "An invaluable strategic partner. PM @narendramodi met with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on the margins of the #G20. Discussed deepening cooperation in trade & investment, energy security, counter-terrorism, among other areas."

Modi met Saudi Prince on the sidelines of the summit after attending an informal meeting with BRICS' leaders in Osaka.

Saudi Arabia is India's top supplier of crude oil but with this meeting, both the governments have expanded their relationship beyond energy to build a 'strategic partnership'.

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, who is also the Gulf nation's defence minister, had his first official visit to India in February.

During his visit, India strongly raised the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and discussed deepening cooperation in counter-terrorism.

Salam along with Modi condemned "in the strongest terms" the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group.