Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reportedly, broke protocols to personally receive the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman who arrived Tuesday night in New Delhi along with his entourage.
He was given a grand welcome at New Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was also greeted by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks on a range of areas including cross-border terrorism, defence, security and trade.
Earlier in an interview to state-run media agency Saudi Gazett, PM Modi had shared that the two countries are working towards “establishing India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council which focuses on consolidating bilateral cooperation in specific areas under the Kingdom’s newly constituted Saudi Centre for International Strategic Partnership”.
The de facto leader of the oil-rich Gulf state is in India only for 24 hours and will be leaving the country Wednesday night. He is scheduled to next visit China, Malaysia and Indonesia. Before this he concluded his high-profile visit to Pakistan.
Arrival at Palam

Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Leaders share a joke

Saudi delegates welcomed

A hug at Hyderabad House

Guard of honour

Drizzle before the welcome ceremony

After crown prince’s departure

Agreement to share intelligence
