India and Saudi Arabia have decided to raise their cooperation to a strategic partnership covering security, economic, defence and political areas, Parliament was told on Thursday.
Making a suo motu statement in both Houses on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent visit to the oil-rich kingdom, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said it was “highly successful.”
The most important outcome was the signing of the historic Riyadh Declaration by the Prime Minister and King Abdullah, in which the two countries decided to raise cooperation to a strategic partnership.
In particular, both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening the strategic energy partnership, Mr. Krishna said.
The two leaders condemned the phenomenon of terrorism, extremism and violence, affirming that it was global and threatened all societies not linked to any race, colour or belief. They said the international community must resolutely combat terrorism.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in exchange of information on terrorist activities, money laundering, narcotics and arms and human trafficking, and to develop joint strategies to combat these threats.
