Saudi Crown Prince in India updates: Saudi Arabia orders release of 850 Indian prisoners at PM Modi’s request
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed on the need to act against terror on Wednesday. Addressing a joint conference with the Saudi prince, Modi said both countries agreed that all possible pressure needs to be exerted on countries supporting terrorism. PM Modi said the Pulwama terror attack is a cruel symbol of the scourge spread over the world by terrorism. The Saudi Crown Prince arrived in India on Tuesday a day after his visit to Pakistan. PM Modi on Tuesday broke protocol to personally receive the Saudi prince and welcomed him with a warm hug at Palam airport. The Crown Prince is on his first visit to India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the first state visit of the Saudi Crown Prince marks a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries.Follow Updates updates here:
10:24 pm IST
Saudi prince raises India’s Haj quota to 2,00,000

At the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Crown Prince has announced increase in quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 2,00,000: MEA spokesperson
10:15 pm IST
Saudi Arabia orders release of 850 Indian prisoners at PM Modi’s request
At the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in Saudi jails: MEA spokesperson
9:27 pm IST
Saudi crown prince meets President Kovind
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Delhi: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/I1PSYbRrKQ
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019
5:40 pm IST
Saudi prince appreciated PM Modi’s peace efforts with Pakistan: MEA
The Saudi Crown Prince appreciated consistent efforts made by PM Modi since May 2014, including his personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan. Both sides agreed on the need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption of dialogue. At this point, no mediation by Saudi Arabia has been offered: TS Tirumurti, MEA secretary
5:35 pm IST
Pakistan’s complicity in Pulwama attacks underlined during meet: MEA
Pakistan’s complicity in the Pulwama attacks was underlined in the meeting between both leaders (PM Modi and Saudi Prince Salman). They agreed on the need to create necessary conditions for resumption of talks. Both leaders underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the United Nations: TS Tirumurti, MEA secretary
5:28 pm IST
India, Saudi Arabia promise cooperation against terror
India and Saudi Arabia called upon countries to crack down on terrorism, act against their finances and bring perpetrators to justice. Comprehensive security dialogue at the level of NSAs for intel sharing. Naval exercises at the earliest, strengthen maritime security: TS Tirumurti, MEA secretary
2:18 pm IST
Saudi Arabia invested $44 billion in India: Prince Salman
Prince Salman called for a common planning between India and Saudi Arabia to tackle various issues. “PM Modi visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and we have achieved success in these years. We have invested around $44 billion in India. There are opportunities to invest over $100 billion in India ,” said the Saudi Prince.
2:10 pm IST
Prince Salman says India, Saudi Arabia relations older than history itself
The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia is over thousands of years old. It is even older than history, and this relationship has grown stronger in the last 50 years. Our objectives are similar be it in energy, agriculture or technology.
2:04 pm IST
Share India’s concern over terror, says Prince Salman
Saudi Prince Salman said that terrorism is a common concern. We want to tell our friend India that will provide all cooperation to India be it intelligence sharing or any other aspect. He also Saudi thanked the people of India and the government of India for their warm welcome.
1:59 pm IST
Prince Salman agreed on need to clampdown on terror perpetrators
PM Modi: Pulwama attack shows the menace of terror. We agreed on need to destroy infrastructure of terror and the need to increase the pressure on countries supporting terror
1:55 pm IST
Saudi Arabia joins Solar Alliance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: We welcome Saudi Arabia joining the International Solar Alliance. We also discussed how to further strengthen our defence cooperation.
1:52 pm IST
Welcome Saudi investment in India, says Modi
PM Narendra Modi: Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valuable strategic partners. Our relations have grown stronger. I welcome Saudi investment in Indian infrastructure.
1:50 pm IST
PM Modi says Saudi Arabia a ‘close friend’
India and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding relationship. In the 21st Century, Saudi Arabia is among India’s most important strategic partners and a close friend, says PM Modi
1:46 pm IST
India, Saudi Arabia exchange MoUs
India and Saudi Arabia exchanged memorandums of understanding (MoUs) after talks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
1:40 pm IST
Meeting amid tension between India-Pakistan over Pulwama attack
Prince Mohammed arrived late Tuesday for a 36-hour visit that was to be dominated by economic ties. But it has risked being overshadowed by rising tensions between India and Pakistan -- where the Saudi royal was on the first leg of his Asian tour -- over the suicide attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama.
1:38 pm IST
Prince Salman met Sushma Swaraj to discuss ties
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met the Saudi Crown Prince Salman and discussed ways to add further momentum to the strategic ties between the two nations besides deepening engagement in areas of trade and investment.
1:29 pm IST
India an investment priority for Saudi Aramco, says CEO
Saudi Aramco said on Wednesday that investing in India is a priority for the company, and it expects the country’s oil demand to rise to 8.2 million barrels per day by 2040.
“India is an investment priority for Saudi Aramco,” CEO Amin Nasser said at a panel discussion in New Delhi.
1:15 pm IST
Prince Salman predicts ‘good things’ in India talks
Prince Mohammed predicted “good things” will come out of talks with Indian leaders as he started a landmark visit to the world’s largest democracy Wednesday.
1:05 pm IST
Would you show courage to ask Saudi Arabia to undo their ‘Joint Statement’ with Pak: Cong’s Surjewala
Ahead of bilateral talks between Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman and PM Modi, Congress’ Randeep Singh Surjewala the prime minister for breaking protocol to welcome the prince at Palam airport on Tuesday.
“National Interests V/S Modiji’s ‘hugplomacy’. Breaking protocol, Grand welcome to those who pledged $20 Billion to Pak & praised Pak’s ‘anti-terror’ efforts. Is it ur way of remembering martyrs of Pulwama? (sic)” wrote Surjewala on Twitter.
“Modiji,Is asking for a terrorist to be designated as such politicisation of UN listings? Would you show courage to ask Saudi Arabia to undo their ‘Joint Statement’ with Pak virtually rejecting India’s demand for designating Masood Azhar as a ‘global terrorist’?“ he added.
12:43 pm IST
Saudi prince, PM Modi hold talks in New Delhi
Saudi prince and PM Modi are holding talks in New Delhi’s Hyderabad house.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday broke protocol to personally receive the Saudi prince and welcomed him with a warm hug at the Palam airport. The Crown Prince is on his first visit to India.
10:30 am IST
Want India-Saudi relation is maintained: Saudi Crown Prince
Saudi prince Salman who relieved a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan said, “We want to be sure that this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of the President and the PM, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India.”
10:20 am IST
Saudi Crown Prince receives ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Delhi: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/dLJZXQdWSo
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019
