EAM to visit Saudi Arabia from Apr 19-20

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will leave here on Saturday on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia for discussions with his counterpart, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, on bilateral, regional and international situation.

The visit, at the invitation of the Saudi Prince, ''testifies to the close relationship that India and Saudi Arabia are bound by,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said here today.

Besides Prince Al-Faisal, the External Affairs Minister will also have meetings with other Saudi leaders.

''Mr Mukherjee's meeting with his Saudi counterpart will provide the opportunity for India and Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral political, economic, commercial, consular and cultural matters and build on their multifaceted partnership,'' the spokesman said.

The visit will also provide the opportunity to both sides to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Mr Mukherjee will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Mr C R Gharekhan, Special Envoy for West Asia and the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP), and Mr N Ravi, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

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