New Delhi: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on his first state visit to India, on Wednesday received a ceremonial welcome by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.
The Crown Prince arrived here on Monday evening following his visit to Pakistan. From Islamabad, he flew to Riyadh before departing for New Delhi.
After the ceremonial welcome where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present, the Saudi royal told the media: “Today we want to be sure that this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (2nd L) inspects a guard of honour during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi on February 20, 2019. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH / AFP)
India’s President Ram Nath Kovind (C) looks on as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi on February 20, 2019. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH / AFP)
This handout photograph released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on February 20, 2019 shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) inspecting a guard of honour during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi. – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a warm welcome in India on February 20, with Riyadh eager to demonstrate it is not an international pariah after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October. (Photo by Handout / INDIAN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 20, 2019. – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a warm welcome in India on February 20, with Riyadh eager to demonstrate it is not an international pariah after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA / AFP)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) waves while posing for media with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (C) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during ceremonial reception at Presidential palace in New Delhi on February 20, 2019. – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman predicted “good things” will come out of talks with Indian leaders as he started a landmark visit to the world’s largest democracy on February 20. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP)
“With the leadership of the President and the Prime Minister, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India.”
He also said that the ties between India and the Arabian Peninsula “is in our DNA”.
The Crown Prince is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with Modi later in the day.
