The Hindu : National : Manmohan receives King Abdullah

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006

National

National

Manmohan receives King Abdullah

Diplomatic Correspondent

First visit by a Saudi King to India in 51 years; to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations

SETS ASIDE PROTOCOL: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh receiving King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the airport in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PHOTO: V.V. KRISHNAN

NEW DELHI: Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally received Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at Palam airport here on Tuesday evening. It is the first visit by a Saudi King to India in 51 years.

As King Abdullah set foot in India, official sources told this correspondent that Hizbul Mujahideen chief, Syed Salahuddin, usually based in Pakistan, has held a meeting with Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Mecca. Geelani was recently permitted by New Delhi to perform the Haj pilgrimage.

According to the sources, Salahuddin, who has routinely taken responsibility for major terrorist strikes in India, frequently travels to Saudi Arabia on a Pakistani passport. The Saudi Government has had no hesitation in issuing him a visa, the sources maintained. Apart from Salahuddin, several leaders of the Pakistan-based Jamaat-e-Islami are said to be in Mecca.

The Saudi King, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, arrived here from China. He is scheduled to meet President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Ahead of the visit, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said that some bilateral cooperation agreements were likely to be signed during the visit.

"His Majesty would inaugurate a Saudi Exhibition at Pragati Maidan and address a business summit hosted by the apex chambers of Indian commerce and industry."

"A sizeable Saudi business delegation is accompanying His Majesty. A special session of the India-Saudi Arabia Business Council would also be held. His Majesty would also visit Jamia Millia Islamia [on January 27] where he would receive an honorary doctorate," the spokesman said.

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