President Ram Nath Kovind with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Rashtrapati Bhavan .PTI  

The MEA announced that on request from the Indian leader the Crown Prince ordered the release of 850 prisoners from Saudi jails before his visit came to an end.

The Crown Prince said, “We have also diversified to the petrochemical sector in India. Since 2016, we have achieved many goals with India and we think there is a potential for investing $100 billion.” Prime Minister Modi praised the Saudi role as a crucial energy supplier to India and said that both sides are moving towards sustainable energy.

A joint statement issued at the end of the visit, agreed to expedite the work for the $44 billion West Coast Refinery and Petrochemical Project.

The visit is the first by the Saudi dignitary who is known to have brought in a new vision to the oil-rich economy.

Mr. Modi described Saudi Arabia as one of India’s most valuable strategic partners.

Responding to India’s position on Pakistan, the Saudi side said that it will support India’s security needs. “We will share intelligence with India and other countries to prevent terrorism,” said Mohammed Bin Salman, even though he did not mention cross-border terrorism from Pakistan during his press conference.

The joint statement urged for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and pitched for “comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the UN.”

Both sides also resolved to create a “Comprehensive Security Dialogue” consisting of National Security Advisers and set up a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Both sides also launched a Strategic Partnership Council that will be led by the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince.

During the visit of Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA).