PM Modi speaks with Saudi Crown Prince, discusses bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Thursday (June 8, 2023).

The leaders reviewed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on various multilateral and global issues of mutual interest, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

'Spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince & PM HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussed boosting ties in connectivity, energy, defense, trade & investment, and exchanged views on regional and global issues. Appreciated his support in safe evacuation of Indians from Sudan and for Haj," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Saudi Arabia's excellent support during the evacuation of over 3,800 Indian nationals from Sudan via Jeddah in April 2023, the PMO added.

Saudi Arabia played a crucial role during Operation Kaveri launched on April 24 this year, under which Indian nationals were evacuated from strife-torn Sudan amid intense fighting between the army and a rival paramilitary force.

Two Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft and three Indian Navy Ships INS Sumedha, INS Teg, and INS Tarkash had transported Indian nationals from Port Sudan to Jeddah under Operation Kaveri. They were then flown back to India in batches.

During the conversation, Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his full support to India’s initiatives as part of its ongoing G20 Presidency and that he looks forward to his visit to India. India assumed the one-year rotating Presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022 and will host the New Delhi Summit in September this year.

According to the PMO, Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his best wishes for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.