Indian PM on visit to Saudi Arabia

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday on the first visit by an Indian premier to the oil kingpin in 28 years, with energy imports, Middle East peace and Islamic militancy on the agenda.

He was greeted by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Singh said in a newspaper interview published ahead of his arrival that he will seek to strengthen cooperation on fighting terrorism and promoting regional stability.

"India and Saudi Arabia belong to the same extended neighbourhood," he told the Saudi Gazette.

"During my visit I propose to discuss with King Abdullah how we can promote greater stability and security in the region," he said.

"Both King Abdullah and I reject the notion that any cause justifies wanton violence against innocent people.

"We are strong allies against the scourge of extremism and terrorism that affects global peace and security."

The two sides are concerned about Al-Qaeda and other radical Islamic groups with footholds in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where Saudi Arabia wields influence.

At least nine Indians were among 16 people killed in a militant attack in the Afghan capital Kabul last Friday.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai telephoned the Indian premier to offer his condolences earlier yesterday. Singh conveyed India's "outrage" at the strike, a statement from the Indian leader's office said.

Iran's nuclear drive is also a joint concern for India and Saudi Arabia, though more nuanced for India which has its own nuclear arsenal.

"Our view is that Iran is a signatory to the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty); it is entitled to all the rights that go with its membership of the NPT; and it must also observe all the obligations that go as part of the membership of the NPT," said Singh.

The US has accused Iran of violating its NPT obligations by seeking to develop nuclear weapons, which Iran denies.

Also on the agenda are the growing economic ties between fast growing Asian powerhouse and the world's leading oil exporter.

Saudi Arabia is India's biggest crude supplier, accounting for 20 per cent of the country's total consumption, according to Indian industry body FICCI.

Ahead of his departure for Riyadh, Singh lauded the kingdom as India's "most reliable" energy source in the region.

He said there was "great scope for opening new frontiers of cooperation" in such areas as security, defence, science and technology.

Bilateral trade is running at more $25 billion a year, he said.