* Indian PM tells members of Saudi Shura Council all problems can be solved if Islamabad cooperates with New Delhi
Source: DTN News / Daily Times (Pakistan) + By Md Rasooldeen Arab News
(NSI News Source Info) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - March 2, 2010: India will go the extra mile to improve relations with Pakistan if Islamabad acts decisively on terrorism, 
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday during a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Source: DTN News / Daily Times (Pakistan) + By Md Rasooldeen Arab News
(NSI News Source Info) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - March 2, 2010: India will go the extra mile to improve relations with Pakistan if Islamabad acts decisively on terrorism, 
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday during a visit to Saudi Arabia. “If Pakistan cooperates with India, there is no problem that we cannot solve and we can walk the extra mile to open a new chapter in relations between our two countries,” said Singh during the first visit to the kingdom by an Indian leader since 1982.
However, he told the Saudi Shura Council that Islamabad needed to act against Pakistan-based militant groups. He said “no sanctuary should be given to those who promote terror, violence or instability” in Afghanistan, according to a text of his speech given to journalists.
He noted that both India and Saudi Arabia were threatened by extremism and violence, and said, “History teaches us that ... terrorism must be confronted with determination and united effort ... nowhere is this challenge greater than in Afghanistan.”
Singh said India sought a cooperative relationship with Pakistan for permanent peace, as both countries were bound together by a shared future. “We seek cooperative relations with Pakistan. Our objective is permanent peace because we recognise that we are bound together by a shared future. If there is cooperation between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity in both countries and in South Asia as a whole.”
The Indian prime minister described West Asia as a vital part of India’s extended neighbourhood, and said, “We have a high stake in the peace and stability of the region ... the countries of the region, nor the world, can afford fresh turmoil”. He reaffirmed India’s support for the struggle of the Palestinian people and New Delhi’s backing for the Arab peace plan to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The West has been hoping that Saudi Arabia would take on a greater role in ending the war in Afghanistan after hosting talks between pro-government representatives and ex-Taliban officials in September 2008. reuters
*Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who concluded a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia:
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who concluded a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, said that India and Saudi Arabia had put into place a road map for bilateral economic, political and security-related cooperation that would constitute the core of their relationship in the coming years.
The historic visit saw the two countries sign 10 agreements and issue a Riyadh Declaration.
"We have agreed to impart a strategic character to our relations, " the premier told the members of the Shoura Council. 
Singh, who signed the Riyadh Declaration with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday, said that his dialogue with the monarch and his meetings with the other leaders had led to the reaffirmation of close bilateral ties and common interests. He pointed out that the Delhi Declaration that he signed with King Abdullah in 2006 enshrined the shared vision of a new relationship. "Our two countries pledged to work, not just for the development and prosperity of our peoples, but for the security and peace of the region as a whole."
The premier said: “India regards Saudi Arabia as a pillar of stability in the Gulf region. Under the enlightened and sagacious leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Kingdom has taken rapid strides toward modernization. Its influence today extends far beyond the region.”
"As I stand before you, I am conscious of the wealth of history behind us, and the promise of new partnerships ahead of us," he said, recalling that Indian Muslim scholars had gone to Makkah to learn Islamic theology while Arab Muslim scholars came to India to learn mathematics, science, astronomy and philosophy.
Saudi Arabia is home to the largest Indian community abroad, numbering about 1.8 million. "Indian workers and professionals have participated in the extraordinary development of this region. Indeed, it would be difficult to identify a major project in this region with which Indians have not been involved in some way or the other," he noted, pointing out that around 165,000 Indian pilgrims perform Haj annually.
"Both our countries are today threatened by extremism and violence. The pursuit of terror in the name of religion or any other cause or grievance cannot be acceptable to civilized societies. It has no sanction in any religion," he said.
Speaking on regional issues, the Indian leader said the people of Palestine had been denied for far too long their just, legitimate and inalienable rights, including the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state.
Turning to the Indian Subcontinent, the prime minister said India wishes to live in peace and friendship with its neighbors. "I believe that all countries of South Asia should work to realize a common vision of peace and inclusive development for the region. We seek cooperative relations with Pakistan. Our objective is permanent peace because we recognize that we are bound together by a shared future. If there is cooperation between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity in both countries and in South Asia as a whole.
“But to realize this vision, Pakistan must act decisively against terrorism. If Pakistan cooperates with India, there is no problem that we cannot solve and we can walk the extra mile to open a new chapter in relations between our two countries," he said.
At the conclusion of his visit, King Saud University conferred an honorary doctorate on Singh. University Rector Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Othman presented the degree. A memorandum of understanding for cooperation was signed between the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and King Saud University in the presence of the prime minister.
Speaking to community members at a reception held at the Indian Embassy later, Singh said that Indians are the largest overseas community in Saudi Arabia and that this was proof of the respect they have earned and the confidence put in them by the government and people of Saudi Arabia. "What is special and unique are the values that every Indian stands for which are the product of a 5000-year-old civilization. An Indian knows the meaning of respecting other's beliefs, customs and faiths. Pluralism and diversity are second nature to us. All this makes Indians tolerant and naturally inclined to harmonious peaceful coexistence. I have no doubt that you reflect these lofty values in your workplaces, homes and in social interactions." He concluded by saying, " I am returning to India confident that our relations with Saudi Arabia have been placed on a even sounder footing."
Singh, who signed the Riyadh Declaration with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday, said that his dialogue with the monarch and his meetings with the other leaders had led to the reaffirmation of close bilateral ties and common interests. He pointed out that the Delhi Declaration that he signed with King Abdullah in 2006 enshrined the shared vision of a new relationship. "Our two countries pledged to work, not just for the development and prosperity of our peoples, but for the security and peace of the region as a whole."
The premier said: “India regards Saudi Arabia as a pillar of stability in the Gulf region. Under the enlightened and sagacious leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Kingdom has taken rapid strides toward modernization. Its influence today extends far beyond the region.”
"As I stand before you, I am conscious of the wealth of history behind us, and the promise of new partnerships ahead of us," he said, recalling that Indian Muslim scholars had gone to Makkah to learn Islamic theology while Arab Muslim scholars came to India to learn mathematics, science, astronomy and philosophy.
Saudi Arabia is home to the largest Indian community abroad, numbering about 1.8 million. "Indian workers and professionals have participated in the extraordinary development of this region. Indeed, it would be difficult to identify a major project in this region with which Indians have not been involved in some way or the other," he noted, pointing out that around 165,000 Indian pilgrims perform Haj annually.
"Both our countries are today threatened by extremism and violence. The pursuit of terror in the name of religion or any other cause or grievance cannot be acceptable to civilized societies. It has no sanction in any religion," he said.
Speaking on regional issues, the Indian leader said the people of Palestine had been denied for far too long their just, legitimate and inalienable rights, including the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state.
Turning to the Indian Subcontinent, the prime minister said India wishes to live in peace and friendship with its neighbors. "I believe that all countries of South Asia should work to realize a common vision of peace and inclusive development for the region. We seek cooperative relations with Pakistan. Our objective is permanent peace because we recognize that we are bound together by a shared future. If there is cooperation between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity in both countries and in South Asia as a whole.
“But to realize this vision, Pakistan must act decisively against terrorism. If Pakistan cooperates with India, there is no problem that we cannot solve and we can walk the extra mile to open a new chapter in relations between our two countries," he said.
At the conclusion of his visit, King Saud University conferred an honorary doctorate on Singh. University Rector Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Othman presented the degree. A memorandum of understanding for cooperation was signed between the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and King Saud University in the presence of the prime minister.
Speaking to community members at a reception held at the Indian Embassy later, Singh said that Indians are the largest overseas community in Saudi Arabia and that this was proof of the respect they have earned and the confidence put in them by the government and people of Saudi Arabia. "What is special and unique are the values that every Indian stands for which are the product of a 5000-year-old civilization. An Indian knows the meaning of respecting other's beliefs, customs and faiths. Pluralism and diversity are second nature to us. All this makes Indians tolerant and naturally inclined to harmonious peaceful coexistence. I have no doubt that you reflect these lofty values in your workplaces, homes and in social interactions." He concluded by saying, " I am returning to India confident that our relations with Saudi Arabia have been placed on a even sounder footing."
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