In the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi in 1982, Prime minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday  on a three-day historic visit. Dr.Singh was welcomed at the King Khalid International Airport-Riyadh by Saudi Ministers and senior officials.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Foreign Minister Sashi Tharoor; National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair are also part of the team visiting Saudi.

Prior to his departure from Delhi, Prime Minister told reporters that his visit to Saudi carries special significance. “I am conscious of the fact that this will be only the third visit by an Indian prime minister to Saudi Arabia. My visit reflects the strong mutual desire of both countries to reinvigorate our relations, as manifested in King Abdullah’s historic visit to India in 2006 as the chief guest at the Indian Republic Day”. “India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed special relations based on several millennia of civilization and cultural linkages and people-to-people exchanges.”

Indian delegation was welcomed at Riyadh by royal family members, armed forces commanders, Senior government  diplomats  including Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Interior Minister Prince Naif, Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, Commerce and Industry Minister Zainal Alireza, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh,.

Dr.Manmohan Singh is scheduled to hold discussions King Abdullah on Sunday. He will also meet Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and will address the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. On Monday, Dr.Singh will deliver a speech at  Saudi Shoura Council  about the constructive role played by the Shoura in the political and economic development of Saudi..

Nine agreements, including an extradition treaty and memoranda of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation are to be signed during the visit on Sunday night at Al-Rawdah Palace in Riyadh.