India our friend, want to maintain relations, says Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Crown Prince)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. He is on a one-day visit to India and reached New Delhi late tuesday night. Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport, signifying the importance India attaches to this visit by one of the most powerful leader in the Arab world.

During their talks on Wednesday, Modi and Salman are expected to look at ways to enhancing defence ties, including having a joint naval exercise. The visit gains significance because before visiting India, the Saudi Crown Prince visited Pakistan and committed massive investments. PM Modi is expected to raise the issue of Pakistan not acting against terror outfits based on its soil and attacking India. The Pulwama terror attack on the CRPF last week may also come up for discussion.

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Rashtrapati Bhawan said, "Today we want to be sure that this relation is maintained&improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of the President and the PM, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India."