Jeddah, April 23 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in high-level bilateral discussions in Jeddah, co-chairing the second session of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) on Tuesday, prior to the PM's return to India due to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Despite the shortened visit, the discussions in Jeddah represented a major advancement in enhancing the strategic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia.

The engagement on Tuesday was a pivotal move towards reinforcing the diverse ties between the two countries, with fresh initiatives launched in critical sectors such as Defence, energy, investment, and cultural cooperation.

"PM @narendramodi and Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducted extensive discussions and co-chaired the second India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) at the Royal Palace in Jeddah. HRH Crown Prince expressed strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the innocent lives lost," stated the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X on Wednesday.

"They also shared perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual concern, including ongoing cooperation under the IMEEC initiative. The two leaders evaluated the progress made under the SPC framework and discussed strategies to fortify the strategic partnership. They welcomed the expansion of the SPC with the introduction of two new Ministerial Committees focused on Defence Cooperation and Tourism and Culture Cooperation," he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provided updates via social media, stating: "HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi co-chair the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council."

During the dialogue, both parties reached an agreement to form two additional Ministerial Committees — one dedicated to Defence Cooperation and another to Tourism and Cultural Cooperation, within the SPC framework.

This expansion brings the total number of committees under the Council to four, comprising the Political, Consular and Security Cooperation Committee, and the Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology Committee.

In another post on X, the MEA spokesperson remarked: "The second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and HRH Crown Prince, took place today. The Council resolved to establish two new Ministerial Committees, one for Defence Cooperation and another for Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the SPC."

Economic collaboration was also a key focus, with both nations agreeing to collaborate on the establishment of two oil refineries in India. The High-Level Task Force on Investment (HLTF) was acknowledged for its considerable progress, especially in taxation, which is viewed as a breakthrough for facilitating increased investment flows in the future.

However, Prime Minister Modi had to abbreviate his visit following the tragic terror incident in Pahalgam, J&K, which resulted in the loss of 16 lives and injuries to many others. He canceled a scheduled address to the Indian community and a state dinner hosted by the Saudi government, returning to India to manage the situation.

The discussions in Jeddah signified a crucial step in enhancing India-Saudi Arabia strategic relations, underscoring a continued commitment to shared objectives in regional stability, economic expansion, and cultural partnerships.