India has officially announced the programme for the two-day visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, starting from Tuesday (February 18).

During the forthcoming visit, the Crown Prince will call on the President and Vice President of India. He will hold bilateral talks with Modi on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, reported state news agency Wam.

This visit follows a trip by Modi to Saudi Arabia in April 2016, during which the two countries agreed to elevate their strategic partnership.

"At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is paying his first State visit to India on February 19 and 20. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and leading Saudi businessmen," an announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs, said.

"India and Saudi Arabia have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored in mutually beneficial partnership and extensive people to people contacts. In recent years, there has been significant progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including energy security, trade, investment, infrastructure, defence and security," it added.

Saudi-India bilateral trade was $27.48 billion during the year 2017-18, making the kingdom India’s fourth largest trading partner.

Saudi Arabia contributes about 20 per cent of India's crude requirements. Recently, Saudi Aramco in partnership with Adnoc entered into a joint venture for $44 billion worth Ratnagiri Refinery and Petro-Chemical project Ltd.

"About 2.7 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia," said the ministry in its statement.
 
"Their positive and highly-appreciated contribution to the development of their host country has been an important anchor of bilateral engagement. Saudi Arabia also facilitates Hajj pilgrimage to over 175,000 Indians every year," it added.