RIYADH, 22 January — India's Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh said yesterday that Saudi-Indian relations should not only be dictated by economic interests but also by geopolitical considerations. "The security of the two regions is inseparable and we must work together with the recognition of that reality," he told a news conference here.
Singh's news conference, originally set for 5 p.m., was brought forward to 11 a.m. to enable the minister to visit the farm of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, for a luncheon invitation.
Crown Prince Abdullah also announced the gift of a horse from his stable for the visiting Indian minister, who comes from the princely family of Rajasthan. Singh later flew to India. "I am overwhelmed by the generosity, because I am told that the crown prince has never done this before," Singh said, acknowledging the hospitality of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, the crown prince, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Minister of Industry and Electricity Hashim A. Yamani.
Jaswant Singh was to sign another agreement on combating crime, terrorism and drug trafficking. But that was put on hold in view of Interior Minister Prince Naif's leaving for Yemen to sign a border agreement.
Singh's wide-ranging news conference touched on various issues, including bilateral relations and the planned increase in oil imports from the Kingdom, Kashmir, India's missile development program, UN reforms and India's bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council, the Middle East peace process, Iraq's aggressive posturing on Kuwait and the status of Indian Muslims.
Singh's stress on a new dimension in Saudi-Indian relations was also the theme of a keynote address, "India and Saudi Arabia: Partnership for stability, security and development", that he delivered at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry later in the day.
Building up on his theme of diversifying bilateral relations, the Indian minister said the Kingdom was also in favor of a political content in their otherwise burgeoning economic relations.
Describing the outcome of his visit as "highly satisfying", Singh said it marked the dawn of a new era in bilateral relations capable of addressing contemporary challenges. "My visit is the forerunner of many other visits that will follow in the days, months and years ahead."
He said both countries had identified new areas of cooperation in information technology, energy, knowledge-based industries and pharmaceuticals, where India is particularly strong. They had also decided to promote mutual investments, among other things, in the field of hydrocarbons, which would also be the focus of joint ventures.
In his address to the Council of Saudi Chambers, he said India's demand for crude oil is estimated to increase from 69 million tons at present to 190 millions tons in 2012 and 364 million tons by 2025. The demand for natural gas will also surge from 110 million standard cubic meters to 313 million standard cubic meters per day in 2012 and 391 mmscm in 2025 during the same period.
The expansion and diversification of their relations would be undertaken within the framework of the Saudi-Indian Joint Economic Commission, the minister said. The JEC meeting will be co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Electricity Yamani and India's Minister of Finance Yashwant Sinha. The date will be set as soon as joint working groups finalize the agenda and get it approved by Saudi authorities.
Answering a question on Pakistan which has questioned the motive behind his visit to the Kingdom, Singh said his visit was aimed at giving a fillip to bilateral ties and was not directed against any country.
"If anyone conceives it as a visit directed against any country, it would be tantamount to belittling the wisdom of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to completely misread India's intentions."
On India's missile development program, Singh said it was an open program announced in parliament and in full knowledge of the international community. "It is not in violation of any international law."
On the condition of Indian Muslims, he said they are treated on the same footing as any other community of India. "India is a multi-religious society. It is a creed which we subscribe to. All are treated equally as citizens."
Asked if India's relations with Israel would not have an adverse impact on its ties with the Arab world, Singh said: "Such is not my impression and my conclusion. Otherwise, my entire visit would be a negation. India-Israel relations are not in conflict with India's continuing relationship with Arabs and the Gulf countries."
On the contrary, he pointed out, Prince Saud urged India to use its leverage with Israel to push forward the peace process. India has always sided with Arabs on the Palestine question, especially on the Israeli implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 concerning the exchange of land for peace.
On the question of Iraq's anti-Kuwait rhetoric and the continued threat of annexation, Singh said India is opposed to the use of force for settling any border issue.
In his keynote address at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Singh stressed the need for UN reforms, particularly the Security Council. He said that "even as the UN seeks to promote democracy, we call for it to set an example by democratizing its own structures and institutions by making them more representative. India believes itself fully qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of permanent membership and has a natural claim to a permanent seat in the Security Council."
On Pakistan, he said: "I am aware that there is considerable concern in Saudi Arabia about the state of India-Pakistan relations. Since the signing of the Simla Agreement in 1972, we have sought to build friendly relations with Pakistan on the basis of peaceful dialogue. However, for this dialogue to have any meaning, Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to existing bilateral agreements -- the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration -- and effectively end its support for cross-border terrorism."
