Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], April 23 (ANI): India and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties across education, connectivity, global economic coordination, and regional peace, as outlined in the joint statement issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit to the Kingdom.

As per a joint statement shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides welcomed the growing momentum in educational and scientific collaboration, highlighting its strategic importance in promoting innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development.

The Saudi side expressed enthusiasm over the prospect of leading Indian universities establishing a presence in the Kingdom. The two nations also agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in labour and human resources, with a view to identifying further opportunities for collaboration.

Both nations reiterated their mutual commitment to the principles of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during the Crown Prince's State Visit to India in September 2023.

The Corridor envisions enhanced connectivity through the development of critical infrastructure such as railways and port linkages, aiming to boost the flow of goods and services and deepen trade among participating countries. The two sides also expressed satisfaction with the growing number of shipping lines between them.

Both leaders welcomed the progress made under the October 2023 MoU on Electrical Interconnections, Clean/Green Hydrogen, and Supply Chains, seeing it as a critical step in realising the broader vision of regional integration and sustainability.

Emphasising the importance of international collaboration, the two sides agreed to deepen coordination within key global platforms such as the G20, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

They highlighted their shared role in the Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which was endorsed at the G20 Riyadh Summit in 2020. The two countries called for stronger implementation of the Common Framework to help address the debt vulnerabilities of eligible nations through coordinated efforts between official and private sector creditors.

On regional stability, both sides voiced full support for international and regional efforts toward a political resolution of the crisis in Yemen. India appreciated the Kingdom's humanitarian efforts and initiatives to promote dialogue among Yemeni parties, while Saudi Arabia expressed gratitude for India's own humanitarian assistance to the country.

Additionally, both sides agreed to cooperate on promoting the security and safety of waterways and ensuring freedom of navigation in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the joint statement stated.

It was also agreed that the next meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council will be scheduled at a mutually agreed date. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing communication and collaboration across a wide range of sectors as they continue on their respective paths of national development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit by thanking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. In return, the Crown Prince extended his best wishes to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for continued progress and prosperity. (ANI)