The Saudi youth delegation, on a perception-changing visit to India, began the third and final leg of its 10-day tour with a meeting with Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot here on Thursday.
The 40-member team, which began its tour on March 22, is visiting three cities in India to promote interactions in the field of science and technology and to gain a firsthand account of the progress made by Indian institutions and universities
The delegation is being led by Yousuf Al-Saadoun, undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry for economic and cultural affairs. It comprises students, media persons and youth from different walks of life.
The objective of the visit, said the organizers, was to “start a dialogue between young people from both our countries and learn about each other’s cultures, viewpoints and experiences.”
Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit aims to promote Saudi-Indian ties and benefit from the Indian experience in the field of communication and information technology.
Following the meeting with the Indian minister, a member of the Saudi delegation expressed his happiness at meeting a dynamic personality.
“We are inspired to meet such a dynamic and young leader from India. He understands the importance of engaging youth in a country’s development,” said Al-Bara Al-Ohali. The delegation arrived here late Wednesday after visiting technology hubs in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
“IT is one area where we have been doing tremendously well. It is great to see the keen interest the youth population is showing in innovation and IT industry,” Pilot said during the 40-minute interaction. “More than the (India-Saudi Arabia) political or economic relationship between the two countries, it is the ties between people that will strengthen the relationship,” Pilot said.
During the interaction, the delegation members voiced their opinions and asked questions on issues such as youth involvement, elections, IT, innovation and corruption.
The delegation showed interest in the Indian government’s National Optical Fiber Network for providing broadband connectivity to panchayats (villages) and offering governance, banking and health services online.
Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al-Sati also accompanied the delegation to the Foreign Ministry in the New Delhi.
The Undersecretary for Eastern Affairs Sanjay Singh and Undersecretary for Gulf Affairs Ghanashyam received the delegation. The officials commended the efforts of the Kingdom to offer best service to the Haj and Umrah pilgrims from different parts of the world especially from India.
The delegation also viewed a visual presentation of the activities of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Al-Saadoun thanked his Indian counterpart for the good reception and hospitality his delegation received.
The delegation’s visit to Narayan Hrudalaya telemedicine project in Bengaluru has been the most engaging so far, a member said.
“E-health in Bengaluru was very strong. It is a lesson we would like to take back home,” a delegate had told an Indian news agency.
The delegation also visited the Indian Space Research Organisation in Bengaluru and Dr. Reddy’s laboratories, among others, in Hyderabad. In Delhi, they will visit the Indian Institute of Technology, the Nasscom office and places of cultural interest.