Saudi Foreign Minister Al-Jubier to visit India on March 11: MEA

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubier will visit India on Monday, Ministry of External Affair spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a press briefing here on Saturday. Adel is scheduled to hold a meeting with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. The meeting will follow-up on announcements made during last month's visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

"My understanding is that he [Adel] is visiting to discuss some important follow-ups from the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to India. Beyond that, once the meeting takes place, then we will issue some kind of statement on his visit," said Kumar. Kumar denied the speculations about the attempt by Saudi Arabia to mediate in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan.

"There has been no offer of any mediation from any country; not from Saudi, not from any country," said Kumar. "There cannot be any mediation; our position is very clear on it," said Kumar. Adel's visit comes three days after he made a day-long visit to Pakistan.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman visited both India and Pakistan last month. In his bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Saudi Crown Prince had described terrorism as a 'common concern.'

(With inputs from agencies.)