Arjun Singh on a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia

Dubai, May 30: In the midst of the raging controversy over the reservation issue back home in India, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh arrived in Riyadh on a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Singh, who is leading a seven-member delegation, was received at the airport by Saudi Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari, Deputy Education Minister Othman Al-Rabiah and other senior officials. Indian Ambassador M O H Farook was also present.

The minister, who is leading a high-level academic delegation, including UGC Chairman Sukhadeo Thorat, is expected to sign an Education Exchange programme between India and Saudi Arabia and also witness the conclusion of an MoU between Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah.

The HRD Minister is carrying a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

The visit of Mr Singh is a sequel to the 'Delhi Declaration' signed during the Saudi King's visit to India in January. As part of the Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Singh, the two countries have pledged to work, in close cordination in various fields, including information and communication technology.

The Declaration had announced the setting up of an ICT Centre of Excellence as well as an Institute of Higher Learning in Saudi Arabia.

''Mr Arjun Singh's visit is expected to strengthen academic relations between India and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two countries having a sizeable number of Indian expatriates,'' officialS said.

The other members of the delegation include Jamia Millia Vice Chancellor Prof. Mushirul Hasan, Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor Seyed Hasnain, Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc, Bangalore) Associate Director N Balakrishnan and Aligarh Muslim University Professor S Kafeel A Qasim.

The six-day itinerary of the minister to Saudi Arabia includes visits to King Saud University and the King Abdul Aziz Library in Riyadh.

Mr Singh will also participate in a reception hosted by the AMU Old Boys Association in the Saudi capital and launch the Saudi-Indian Medical Forum at Jeddah.

In the UAE, Mr Singh will hold talks with Minister of High Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Education Minister Dr Hanif Hassan Ali.

He will also visit the Knowledge Village and participate in an interactive discussion with Principals of the CBSE-affiliated schools, during his three-day visit.

UNI