India, Saudi agree to grant multiple entry visas

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Riyadh: Taking forward their economic ties, India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to grant long-term, multiple entry visas to businesspersons to facilitate their frequent visits and decided to strengthen cooperation in fields like customs, science and technology and oil, gas and minerals.

The decision followed extensive discussions at the eighth session of the Indo-Saudi Joint Commission at the Riyadh Conference Palace yesterday, during which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee led the Indian side while the kingdom's delegation was headed by its Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza.

The new scheme, under which long-term, multiple entry visas would be granted to entrepreneurs, would facilitate frequent business visits from both sides and enhance bilateral economic and commercial exchanges, officials said.

The Indian and Saudi sides held talks on a plethora of issues ranging from economic and commercial exchanges, investment, security to labour, visas and community welfare.

The two sides also decided to cooperate in the fields of customs and oil, gas and minerals, apart from strengthening cooperation in the science and technology sector. New areas of cooperation such as engineering, agricultural and higher education were also discussed.

"The Indo-Saudi Joint Commission meeting was fruitful and brought in new vistas of cooperation thereby deepening the economic and commercial relations," Mukherjee told reporters.

"The meeting also addressed the concerns of both sides regarding visas, labour issues and community welfare matters," Mukherjee said.

Both sides also agreed to set up a monitoring mechanism that would report to the respective co-chairs every six months on the progress in implementation of the recommendations made during the meeting.

Alireza said at the meeting that relations between the kingdom and India would reach new heights in economy and trade.

"The two countries share common goals towards the development of economy and trade, as a result we could see remarkable developments in bilateral relations in the relevant sectors," he said.

Responding to the Saudi minister's remarks, Mukherjee praised the endeavours of the Saudi government in supporting India at all international forums, including the G-20.

"We share identical views on the themes of the G-20, including the ongoing deliberations on climate change and look forward to continued cooperation from Saudi Arabia," he said.

On the sidelines of the meeting of the Joint Commission which was set up in 1983, Mukherjee had an audience with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and discussed key bilateral, regional and international issues. He also met Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal and Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf.