Setting aside protocol, King Abdullah's brother and Defence Minister Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz and the entire Saudi cabinet on Saturday received Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he arrived in Riyadh on a three- day visit.
Singh, who was accorded a red carpet welcome, was received by Abdulaziz, also the first deputy Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Minister, at the King Khalid International Airport here.
Interior Minister and second Deputy Prime Minister second Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz and Governor of Riydah Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz also received Singh, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia in 28 years.
The entire Saudi cabinet was also present at the airport to receive the Indian Prime Minister.
Singh will be accorded a formal reception by King Abdullah on Sunday at the Al Rawdah Palace, where the two leaders will hold talks and sign bilateral agreements.
Oil and Mineral Resources Minister Alial Naimi, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal and Commerce and Industries Minister Abdulla Zainal Ali Reza will call on the Prime Minister and hold discussions.
Singh will also address Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. When King Abdullah was in New Delhi in 2006 on a State Visit, Prime Minister Singh had received him at the airport. PTI
