The visit to Saudi Arabia of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 28 years and follows by four years the visit of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to India. Both visits are clear evidence of the bilateral and regional importance of ties between the two countries and hopefully will result in further cooperation in the 21st century. There are numerous areas in which the nations are eager and willing to cooperate. One involves combating terrorism, a disease that has not left either nation untouched. Another include economic activities. Another involves energy use and development. Both governments are appalled by terrorist incidents in the region and must agree to share pertinent intelligence with one another when security in either nation is at risk. There would appear to be little disagreement along these lines. Economic ties between the two are massive. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trading partner with two-way trade of over $25 billion. There are over 500 joint ventures with an estimated investment of over $2 billion (about SR7.5b). And India currently imports more crude oil from Saudi Arabia than from any other nation. As an oil producing country itself and one which has undergone massive industrialization in recent years, India shares many concerns with the Kingdom regarding energy and development of new energy sources. It is clear that the future will bring a decreased dependence on oil and, for both economic and environmental reasons, the development of non-carbon-based energy. As Saudi Arabia leads the way in exploring new energy sources that would allow it to diversify its economy, India will have to find new ways to sustain itself as an ‘Asian tiger' in the future. Such complementary needs offer boundless possibilities for cooperation now and in the future. __
