Agencies

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, hailed on Wednesday ties between Saudi Arabia and India, signing numerous agreements during an official visit to New Delhi.

The Crown Prince was in New Delhi for official talks with Indian officials. He was given a formal reception at the presidential palace where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Crown Prince Mohammed hoped his visit will improve centuries-old ties, which he said are “in our DNA.”

“Since we remember ourselves, we know Indian people as friends, and they are part of building Saudi Arabia in the past 70 years.”

Later, Crown Prince Mohammed and Modi signed agreements for promoting investment, tourism, housing and communications.

“We want to tell India that we will cooperate in every way, including intelligence sharing,” he told a press briefing after talks with Modi.

For his part, Modi said he had agreed with Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism, naval and cyber-security.