Saudi Arabia’s MBS delivers annual royal speech before Shura Council
RIYADH ( Web News )
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to address the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip, noting that the extraordinary joint Islamic-Arab summit held in Riyadh in November helped create a flurry of political activity to pressure the international community.
“Through this summit, the Kingdom worked to spur joint Arab and Islamic action and pressure the international community to take a serious and firm stance to stop the Israeli aggression and allow humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza,” MBS said during the speech which he delivered on behalf of King Salman.
He also reiterated that the Kingdom’s approach is based on “respect for the sovereignty of countries, non-interference in their internal affairs, commitment to international legitimacy, adherence to the principles of good neighborliness and resolving disputes by peaceful means.”
Highlighting the Kingdom’s continuous efforts toward achieving Vision 2030, MBS said Saudi Arabia continues to consistently advance on its path toward fulfilling the vision’s ambitious programs which will further strengthen the country’s development and prosperity.
He added that Saudi Arabia has advanced in over 50 percent of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals indicators.
On the Saudi economy, MBS noted that it has recorded “the fastest growth rate among the G20 countries in 2022, at a rate of 8.7 percent of the GDP, accompanied by a non-oil GDP growth of 4.8 percent,” adding that the tourism sector has witnessed a historic growth rate of 64 percent during the first quarter of 2023.
India’s PM Modi talks to Saudi Crown Prince MBS after oil vessel attack in Red Sea
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation in the Middle East, including recent attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
“We exchanged views on the West Asia situation and shared concerns regarding terrorism, violence and the loss of civilian lives,” Modi said in a post on X. He also “reiterated India’s long-standing and principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue and called for continued humanitarian aid for the affected population,” according to an India readout of the conversation.
The call between the two leaders comes days after a cargo vessel, the MV Chem Pluto, was hit by an alleged drone strike near India’s west coast. In response, India deployed three warships to the Arabian Sea, according to a government statement.
India is investigating the attack on the vessel, which the US military has blamed on Iran. The US has also been consulting with its allies about potential military action against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants in response to their increasingly brazen attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that the perpetrators of the attack on the vessel will “soon be brought to justice.”
“India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights,” said Singh. “For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure.”
India, the world’s third largest oil importer, gets the bulk of its supplies from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and Iraq are among its top suppliers of crude oil.