Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced infrastructure and trade agreements after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, reports the Al Jazeera.
Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS, arrived on a two-day visit to India on Tuesday hoping to boost trade and energy ties following a high-profile trip to neighbouring Pakistan.
India and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements on infrastructure, investment, tourism, housing, broadcasting and for the setting up of a "strategic partnership council".
The Indian prime minister broke with protocol when he went to the airport and hugged the embattled Saudi prince, who has been trying to rebuild his reputation in the wake of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The prime minister is supposed to meet foreign leaders at a formal ceremony at the presidential palace, not on the runways of airports.
"This MBS trip will take our relations to a new level. We already have substantial energy, political and economic ties," Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian envoy to Saudi Arabia, told Al Jazeera.
"We need to focus on regional security and stability which is a concern for both countries.
"Saudi Arabia and India should work together in Afghanistan, there is a golden opportunity here. India can also offer its diplomatic services to reduce the distrust between Saudi Arabia and Iran," he added.
Both leaders seemed eager to nurture a strong relationship.
"The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia is in our DNA. Indians are part of building Saudi Arabia for 70 years," MBS said after a ceremonial welcome at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
India has always had "historical and friendly" ties with Saudi Arabia, Modi said at a joint press meet on Wednesday following, what he called, the "comprehensive" talks with Prince Mohammed.
"India and Saudi Arabia ties will be a factor for stability, peace and security in our region and the world," Modi said in an interview to the Saudi Gazette on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, MBS announced an agreement to look at initial investment in its National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, a quasi-sovereign wealth fund, to help accelerate the building of ports and highways in India.
