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Riyadh Declaration: A New Era of
Strategic Partnership
01/03/2010
At the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister of the Republic
of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh paid an official visit
to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 13-15/3/1431H corresponding to
February 27 – March 1, 2010.
During the visit, the Prime Minister of India addressed the Majlis
Al-Shoura, and received the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Petroleum
and Mineral Resources and Commerce and Industry. An honorary
doctorate was conferred upon the Prime Minister by King Saud
University.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh held in
depth discussions on a wide range of issues in an atmosphere of
utmost warmth, cordiality, friendship and transparency. They
asserted that strong bilateral ties between the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia and the Republic of India were to the benefit of their
peoples and of all humanity.
The two leaders were unanimous that the visit of the Custodian of
the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to India in
2006, and the current visit of the Prime Minister of India, Dr.
Manmohan Singh to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia heralded a new era in
Saudi-India relations, that is in keeping with the changing
realities and unfolding opportunities of the 21st century. This
would be in accordance with the civilizational, historic and
cultural links which bind them and their regions.
The two leaders reviewed the status of implementation of the
historic Delhi Declaration signed on 27/12/1426H corresponding to 27
January 2006, and expressed their satisfaction at the steady
expansion of Saudi-India relations since the signing of the Delhi
Declaration. They re-emphasized the importance of full
implementation of the Delhi Declaration through exchange of visits
at the ministerial, official, business, academia, media and other
levels.
Keeping in view the development of relations between the two
countries, and the potential for their further growth, the two
leaders decided to raise their cooperation to a strategic
partnership covering security, economic, defence and political
areas.
The two leaders reiterated their mutual desire to develop as
knowledge-based economies based on advances in the areas of
information technology, space science and other frontier
technologies. They welcomed the agreements signed between the two
sides in the field of Research and Education, Information Technology
and Services, Science and Technology, and Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of developing a broad-based
economic partnership that reflects the ongoing transformation of
their economies, and the changes such transformation are bringing
about in the global economic order, including continuous
coordination within the framework of the G-20 process. They welcomed
the outcome of the 8th Session of the Joint Commission for Economic,
Trade, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation held in Riyadh
in October, 2009.
The two leaders stressed on continuing to work towards strengthening
their strategic partnership by meeting the two countries' vast
requirements relating to infrastructure, energy and development, by
augmenting the flow of their investments into each other’s
countries, and enhancing the bilateral trade in accordance with the
potential and size of their economies. In this regard, the two
leaders invited the private sector in the two countries and the
Saudi – India Business Council to increase their efforts to take
advantage of the investment opportunities provided by the two
countries.
The two leaders further emphasised the importance of strengthening
the strategic energy partnership based on complimentarity and
interdependence, as outlined in the Delhi Declaration, including
meeting India's increasing requirement of crude oil supplies, and
identifying and implementing specific projects for cooperation
including in the areas of new and renewable energy. India invited
Saudi Arabia to participate in crude storage facilities in India.
They directed the Joint Working Group on Energy to continue adopting
all appropriate means to achieve the same.
The two leaders agreed on the role and importance of the youth in
consolidating and strengthening the relations between their peoples,
and directed the concerned authorities to prepare necessary
programmes for activating this role in the framework of Memorandum
of Cooperation in the educational field signed between the two
countries in 2006, and also providing all necessary facilities to
their students studying in both countries.
The two leaders mandated the Saudi-India Joint Commission to
continue follow up of the implementation of this Declaration to
build this strategic partnership.
The Prime Minister of India expressed his gratitude and appreciation
for the excellent efforts made and services provided by the Saudi
authorities to the Haj and Umra pilgrims from India.
The two leaders welcomed the level of existing cooperation in
defence fields between the concerned authorities in the two
countries, and agreed to continue strengthening this cooperation in
a way that realizes their common interests.
The two leaders noted that tolerance, religious harmony and
brotherhood, irrespective of faith or ethnic background, were part
of the principles and values of both countries. These are the same
principles advocated by the initiative of the Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques for dialogue among different faiths and beliefs.
The two leaders renewed condemnation of the phenomena of terrorism,
extremism and violence affirming that it is global and threatens all
societies and is not linked to any race, color or belief. The
international community must, therefore, resolutely combat
terrorism. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in exchange
of information relating to terrorist activities, money laundering,
narcotics, arms and human trafficking, and develop joint strategies
to combat these threats. They welcomed the signing of the
Extradition Treaty and the Agreement for Transfer of Sentenced
Persons.
In the course of discussions on regional and international issues,
the peace process in the Middle East was high on the agenda. The two
leaders reviewed ongoing efforts and the latest developments, and
expressed hope for the early resumption of the peace process in
accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, and
the Arab Peace Plan with a view to address all the key issues of the
dispute comprehensively and within a definite timeframe leading to
the establishment of a sovereign, independent, united and viable
Palestinian State, in accordance with the two state solution.
The two leaders emphasized that continued building of settlements by
Israel constitutes a fundamental stumbling block for the peace
process.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of regional and
international efforts focusing on making the Middle East and Gulf
Region free of all nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass
destruction
The two leaders reiterated their support for ongoing international
efforts to resolve the issues relating to Iran’s nuclear programme
peacefully through dialogue and called for continuation of these
efforts. They encouraged Iran to respond to those efforts in order
to remove regional and international doubts about its nuclear
programme, especially as these ensure the right of Iran and other
countries to peaceful uses of nuclear energy according to the
yardsticks and procedures of International Atomic Energy Agency and
under its supervision.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and called
for the preservation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence.
They expressed their full support for the efforts aimed at helping
Afghanistan to develop its infrastructure and achieve social and
economic development. They supported the efforts of the people of
Afghanistan to achieve stability and security, protected from
exploitation by the terrorist organizations, while upholding the
values and principles of the Constitution of Afghanistan.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Iraq and expressed hope
that the forthcoming elections will enable the people of Iraq to
realize their aspirations by achieving security and stability,
strengthening territorial integrity and consolidating its national
unity on the principle of equality of rights and obligations among
all Iraqis irrespective of their faith and sect.
The Prime Minister of India conveyed his deep gratitude and
appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the warm
and gracious hospitality extended to him and the members of his
delegation during his official visit to the Kingdom.
Signed this Sunday, February 28, 2010 (14 Rabea Alawal, 1431H) in
Riyadh.
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Prime Minister of the
King of the Kingdom
Republic of India
of Saudi Arabia |
