New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah today used Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia and the conferment of its highest civilian honour on him by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to claim the government's agenda of "inclusive development" has found resonance even in the Muslim world.
"This is a matter of pride for the entire nation. It illustrates that the guiding principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' has resonated all over the world and is being widely appreciated," Shah said in a statement, noting that the Saudi King is the custodian of two most holy mosques of Muslims.
He said Saudi Arabia is a very important nation in the geopolitics of the world and home to the holiest Islamic pilgrim centres. "The importance of Saudi Arabia in the world's cultural milieu is immense."
He termed the honour bestowed on Modi as one more fitting recognition for the "progressive and dynamic foreign policy" of the NDA government under him.
"Modi has always believed that India's diversity and harmony is its strength and will make India the leading economic superpower of the 21st century," he said.
He called it a "historic visit with historic outcomes".
"Comprehensive discussions on broadening economic and people-to-people ties will benefit not only India and Saudi Arabia but also the entire world," he said.
Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia also illustrates the importance he attaches to relations with the West Asia as so many Indians live and work there, he said and referred to his trip to the workers' residential complex where he shared snacks with them.
"This gesture has been uniformly hailed. He raised the issue of Indians serving sentences for minor offences and the Saudi government has agreed to look at these cases sympathetically and constitute a review mechanism with immediate effect," Shah said.
Hailing the government's foreign policy, he said it has led to record foreign investment coming to India and enhanced India's prestige on the world stage.
Relations with existing friends have improved and, at the same time, avenues of cooperation with other regions and nations have widened, he said.
"India has risen to the occasion and helped every Indian in duress be it in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen to name a few," he said.
