India, Saudi Arabia to launch Strategic Partnership Council

Why in news?

• India and Saudi Arabia will launch a mechanism for coordinated decisions regarding strategically important issues.
• The announcement came a day before the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrives here as part of his tour of Asia, where he chose Pakistan as his first destination.

 Important highlights: –

• India and Saudi Arabia have a strong independent strategic partnership and it will be further strengthened with the launching of the Strategic Partnership Council that will cover critical areas of mutual interest
• Talks will be on one of the Saudi investments in Pakistan’s Gwadar port has also drawn attention here as it is a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, of which India disapproves.
• The Pakistan visit by Prince Mohammed brought investment of $20 billion, even as India had begun to campaign for international isolation of the country after the Pulwama attack.

(India and the world)(the hindu)

Pic courtesy:Thehindu