In the media remarks of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), there was no mention of Pulwama but only a general reference to terrorism.
“Terrorism and extremism are common concerns. Saudi Arabia will cooperate with India especially in intelligence sharing. We will cooperate not just with India but also with other neighbours,” he said.
But an Indian official said MBS joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in condemning the Pulwama attack in the strongest terms.
Briefing journalists, T. S. Tirumurti, secretary (economic relations) in the Indian external affairs ministry, said: “They expressed strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, cut off any kind of support and financing to terrorists from all territories against other states, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice.
“Both leaders called upon all countries to renounce the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. They called on states to deny access to weapons to commit terrorist acts against other countries. Both leaders underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the UN. They called for concerted action by the international community against terrorism and early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,” Tirumurti read out.
He refused to comment on how the observations on comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the UN squares up with the Saudi-Pakistan joint statement which had spoken against the politicisation of the UN listing process. But Tirumurti added: “If you are really looking at politicisation you know who is politicising it.”
In the media remarks of MBS, there was no mention of Pulwama but only a general reference to terrorism. “Terrorism and extremism are common concerns. Saudi Arabia will cooperate with India especially in intelligence sharing. We will cooperate not just with India but also with other neighbours,” he said.
The Congress had, as it is, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breaking protocol and offering a tarmac welcome to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he touched down on Indian soil on Tuesday, a day after visiting Pakistan.
“By breaking protocol and welcoming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman with such abundance — only hours after he promised billions to Pakistan — PM Modi has shown the country, the martyrs and every soldier in India what he thinks of their service & sacrifice,’’ the Congress said in a tweet while posting a video of last night’s airport reception complete with Modi’s trademark hug reserved for foreign dignitaries.
The Congress criticism came after a night-long round of criticism in social media of the Prime Minister for breaking protocol for the Crown Prince so soon after he had announced $20 billion in investments for Pakistan besides appreciating Islamabad’s role in fighting terrorism.
Terrorism apart, Saudi Arabia has decided to invest $100 billion in India in a range of areas including energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing. This includes ongoing projects including the refinery that is coming up in Ratnagiri.
On regional connectivity projects, Tirumurti said, both sides agreed that they should be based on universally recognised international norms, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. This is of significance in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that runs through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative that India has not joined owing to sovereignty issues.
Haj quota up
Both sides have agreed to increase the frequency of direct flights from India to KSA by 384,000 seats annually. The Haj quota has been increased from the present 175,000 to 200,000. The enhanced quota will come into effect only after the logistics are worked out.
