Faheem Al-Hamid Okaz/Saudi Gazette NEW DELHI — The Kingdom and India agreed on the importance of encouraging their businessmen to increase investments and take advantage of investment opportunities available in both the countries, especially in the fields of infrastructure and technology transfer. They have also agreed on the need to increase cooperation in the field of human resources qualified in information technology, electronics and communications. A joint communique issued at the end of the three-day visit of Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, deputy premier and minister of defense, to India, urges competent authorities in both the countries to expedite the completion of a framework agreement between the General Authority for Investment of the Kingdom and the Investment Authority of India in order to contribute to facilitating investment by businessmen of the two countries, especially in the petrochemical sector, pharmaceutical industries and medical equipment, in addition to establishing joint investments in these fields. The two sides expressed pleasure over the development of defense cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of training and exchange of experiences. In this regard, the two sides welcomed the signing this week of a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation between the Riyadh and New Delhi. The two sides reiterated their condemnation of the phenomenon of terrorism, extremism and violence, stressing that it is a global phenomenon that threatens all societies and is not linked to any race or belief. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the growth of bilateral trade in the energy sector as well as the fact that the Kingdom is the largest supplier of oil to India. The Indian side expressed appreciation to the Kingdom for being a reliable source of crude oil. On the Palestinian issue, the communique expressed hope of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace according to the Arab peace initiative and the principles of international legitimacy. Expressed grave concern over the ongoing killings and destruction in Syria, the two sides supported full implementation of Geneva Communique that called for negotiations leading to the formation of the transitional governing body.
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