Saudi foreign minister terms relationship with India "top priority"

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Farhan Al-Saud said the relationship between India and the Kingdom has grown exponentially and it is a top priority. "The relationship with India is a top priority and we need to have measurable progress in all sectors, especially the economic and trade relationship,"

He was speaking with the President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Samir Saran at Raisina 'Ideas Pod'.

He also noted that India has played a crucial role in the development of Saudi Arabia. Other than the migrant labourers, he acknowledged the trade relationship of hundreds of years. "The connection has existed even before that, you know, hundreds of years given the trade relationship. We're now building on that connection, on that relationship in a way that is not just benefiting both of us, it's really benefiting the international Community."

He highlighted the strong relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and said both leaders want to see actual results and progress in the bilateral relationship. "They are very similar in the sense that they both are very result oriented. They don't want just a nice talk, they want to see actual results, they want to see progress and that means that we in the government have a very clear direction," reported ANI.

He further observed that India is a fantastically dynamic country with huge potential and we've seen that, especially in the last five years. "The trajectory for India is fantastic. The potential that India holds is almost unmeasurable."

He said Saudi Arabia is India's Most important energy partner and is looking at renewable energy. "India's huge size offers great potential as a huge amount of India's trade to Europe passes through the Red Sea."