Sonia holds discussions with Saudi King

UPA chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday called on the visiting King of Saudia Arabia, Abdullah Bin Abdul Azuz al-Saud and exchanged views on mutual interests.

The two leaders also discussed the regional and international situation in India and Saudi Arabia.

The Minister of state for External Affairs E Ahamed and chairman of AICC's foreign affairs Deprtment Karan Singh were also present during the over half an hour meeting that Gandhi had with the Saudi Monarch.

King Abdullah, who is on a three-day visit to India, was the chief quest at the Republic Day celebrations, marking a new beginning in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

His visit is the first-ever by a Saudi ruler in 51 years that is expected to add a new chapter to bilateral relations.