April 19, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1429

RIYADH, April 18: After deferring his trip to Riyadh at least three times, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is finally scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arab on Saturday on a two-day visit.

During the visit, Mr Mukherjee will hold wide-ranging talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al Faisal on political, economic, commercial, consular and cultural matters. He will also call on King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan and Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.

The visit is expected to focus on working out a joint mechanism to boost investments in trade, infrastructure and oil sectors.

The two sides are expected to focus on steps to imbue their energy partnership with more substance. They have already agreed to work on “evergreen” long-term contracts that would ensure reliable, stable and increased supplies. The two countries are also reported to be planning to work jointly in the energy sector in third countries.

Cooperation in combating terrorism and the situation in the Middle East in the wake of the stepped-up violence in Gaza last month was also expected to come up during the in-depth talks between the two sides. The visit is also aimed at doing the groundwork for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Saudi Arab later this year.