New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, held talks with Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, a member of the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia, alongside the visiting delegation from the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee, in New Delhi on Thursday.

During their discussions, both parties explored the extensive scope of their bilateral relations, which are fortified by strong people-to-people connections.

This visit was notably the first by the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council to India.

“It was a pleasure meeting Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi along with the delegation from the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee today. We assessed our multifaceted bilateral relations, which are underpinned by strong people-to-people ties,” Singh shared on X.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi and the other esteemed members of the Shura Council delegation to the Indian Parliament. They discussed critical areas including defence, energy, capacity building, and other evolving sectors of cooperation between the two nations.

Post-meeting, Birla expressed on X, “India and Saudi Arabia have longstanding cultural, spiritual, and economic ties, which are further enhanced through ongoing exchanges. I was pleased to announce that the India–Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group will soon be officially established in the Indian Parliament.”

“We shared insights on defence, energy, capacity building, and emerging areas of collaboration. The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in India and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 highlight our mutual commitment to sustainable and inclusive development,” he added.

On the previous day, Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, engaged with the Shura Council Delegation at the Parliament, focusing on strategies to enhance India-Saudi Arabia relations.

“It was an honor to converse with Abdulrahman Sanhat A Alharbi, Member of the Shura Council & Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee; Riyadh Ahmad A Al Kapi, Counsellor, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia; Abdullah Saad I Alwagdani, Member of the Shura Council; Othman bin Musa Hakami, Member of the Committee; and other dignitaries,” Rijiju noted on X.

“Our discussions were cordial, constructive, and firmly rooted in our shared ambition to deepen India-Saudi Arabia relations. I am grateful for their gracious visit and meaningful engagement,” he added.