Riyadh: Issues of security and combating
extremism in the region are likely to dominate parleys between
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders of Saudi Arabia, who
are also expected to sign an extradition treaty during the
former's three-day visit to this country later this week.
Singh will lead a high-level delegation of senior
ministers, officials and businessmen to Saudi Arabia on
February 27, and will hold talks with King Abdullah on a
number of bilateral and regional matters of mutual concern.
Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Talmiz Ahmad told the
media that the talks will also focus on Palestine, besides the
situation in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.
"Security cooperation will constitute the basis of our
dialogue. Both countries are extremely concerned about the
rise of extremism and violence, directly threatening our
security," he said.
Ahmed said both India and Saudi Arabia are aware of the
connectivity of extremist forces that have sanctuary and safe
haven in the Af-Pak border area and are seeking to penetrate
other countries of the region, the envoy said.
"India is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan
and Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is concerned about the
situation in Yemen," he said.
The two countries will sign an extradition treaty, a
number of MoUs and agreements on transfer of sentenced
persons, scientific and technological cooperation, peaceful
use of outer space and cooperation in the IT sector, he said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 22, 2010, 09:53