Riyadh: Breaking News! Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a state visit, was given a rousing welcome at the King Khaled International Airport, Riyadh. Dr. Singh is the first Prime Minister of India in 28 years to visit Saudi Arabia.
Only two Indian Prime Ministers had visited Saudi Arabia before. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru visited the country in 1956 and then former PM Indira Gandhi visited Saudi Arabia in 1982.
The entire Saudi Arabia cabinet was present at the Airport when Dr. Singh's plane landed there. The Saudi team was led by the most powerful man in the cabinet, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, who is the brother of King Abdullah,holds the charge of Defence Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry and also is the first Deputy Prime Minister. Interior Minister and Governor of Riyadh Prince Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed bin Ayaf was also present at the Airport.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be formally welcomed by King Abdullah on Sunday. When the Saudi King visited India as a Guest for Republic Day in 2006, Dr. Manmohan Singh offered a rare gesture and received him at the Airport.
This is not the first Saudi visit for Dr. Manmohan Singh. He had gone there in 1994 as the Finance Minister to attend a summit. India is looking forward to build a strategic and strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and improve its image in Gulf through the PM's visit.
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