Saudi King Abdulaziz Al Saud accepts PM Modi's invitation to visit India

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Sunday accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to pay an official visit to India at a mutually convenient time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on the final leg of his three-nation tour in Riyadh will leave for New Delhi early on Monday morning.

During their discussions on regional issues, the two sides emphasized the importance of the principle of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolution of dispute through peaceful means.

The two sides also expressed their hope for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy, in a way that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent, united and viable state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his sincere gratitude to His Majesty the King for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality.

Earlier in the day, he held delegation-level talks with King Al Saud in a move to cement new momentum in bilateral ties between both sides and expand cooperation in diverse areas including trade, investment and counter-terrorism.

Before his departure, the Prime Minister met the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.

Modi is the fourth Indian Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia after Manmohan Singh in 2010, Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956.