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Antony first Indian Def Minister to visit S Arabia
Defence Minister AK Antony will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Saudi Arabia when he leaves for Riyadh for two days on Monday to hold talks with Saudi counterparts on the entire gamut of defence relations including joint training and exercises.
His visit will pave the way for further enhancing defence ties and understanding between the two countries and he will hold discussions with Saudi counterpart Prince Salman-bin-Abdul Aziz Al-Saud on areas of mutual benefits, defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said here on Saturday.
Accompanied by Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General SK Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Satish Soni and Air Vice Marshal MR Pawar, the Ministry will also meet senior Saudi Government officials and political leaders to discuss entire gamut of defence relations.
Defence cooperation, at present, between the two countries include training exchanges, ship visits and high-level visits by senior officials. This visit is expected to enable both sides to engage in discussions on areas where existing cooperation can be expanded for mutual benefits, Kar said.
Over the years, relations between two countries have strengthened considerably owing to cooperation in regional affairs and trade. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest suppliers of oil to India, which is one of the top trading partners and investor there.
Last year in February, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Saudi Arabia accompanied by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.
Defence Minister AK Antony will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Saudi Arabia when he leaves for Riyadh for two days on Monday to hold talks with Saudi counterparts on the entire gamut of defence relations including joint training and exercises.
His visit will pave the way for further enhancing defence ties and understanding between the two countries and he will hold discussions with Saudi counterpart Prince Salman-bin-Abdul Aziz Al-Saud on areas of mutual benefits, defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said here on Saturday.
Accompanied by Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General SK Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Satish Soni and Air Vice Marshal MR Pawar, the Ministry will also meet senior Saudi Government officials and political leaders to discuss entire gamut of defence relations.
Defence cooperation, at present, between the two countries include training exchanges, ship visits and high-level visits by senior officials. This visit is expected to enable both sides to engage in discussions on areas where existing cooperation can be expanded for mutual benefits, Kar said.
Over the years, relations between two countries have strengthened considerably owing to cooperation in regional affairs and trade. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest suppliers of oil to India, which is one of the top trading partners and investor there.
Last year in February, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Saudi Arabia accompanied by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.
