New Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval paid a two-day quiet visit to Saudi Arabia during which he apprised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the state’s special status was withdrawn, official sources said Wednesday. Ajit Doval arrived in Saudi Arabia, Tuesday.
The Saudi Arabian side conveyed to Ajit Doval that it is aware of New Delhi’s long-held position on Kashmir and emphasised on the need for de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, they said.
Doval and Prince Salman also deliberated on a range of bilateral, regional issues including the missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities last month and ways to further deepen anti-terror cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of India’s energy security, being a source of 17 per cent or more of crude oil and 32 per cent of LPG requirements of India.
Notwithstanding the biggest ever attack on its oil facilities September 14 that knocked out half of its daily oil production, Saudi Arabia has assured India that it is committed to meet the country’s energy security needs.
Saudi Arabia, known to be a key ally of Pakistan, has been siding with India in its campaign to rid the region of terrorism and has pledged to extend all cooperation to effectively deal with the challenge.
Both countries already signed several agreements in the field of security, including an extradition treaty.
During Prince Salman’s visit here in February, the two countries decided to constitute a comprehensive security dialogue and set up a joint working group on counter-terrorism to effectively deal with challenges of terrorism.
PTI