Riyadh: India and Saudi Arabia today agreed to broadbase their ties as a high-level delegation including the kingdom's deputy prime minister will visit New Delhi next month to deepen relations, especially in defence.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram today held discussions with his Saudi counterpart Tawfiq Al-Rabiah at a meeting of the joint commission of the two countries and touched potential areas of cooperation in several sectors.
Later, addressing Saudi and Indian businessmen at a meeting of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Chidambaram said that Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, deputy prime minister and minister of defence, will be accompanied by a large contingent of businessmen during his visit.
Crown Prince Salman is expected to discuss defence cooperation with Indian officials.
The two countries are working to formalise a defence cooperation agreement, sources said.
Referring to his talks with Crown Prince Salman, Chidambaram said both agreed that the business community of the two countries could play major roles to further enhance trade and commerce.
