The return and resurgence of terror groups Al-Qaeda and ISIS and the Taliban in Afghanistan is a real concern, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said in an exclusive interview with India Today.

“Transnational terrorism is a concern. For now, the Taliban have committed that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism,” he said.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also stated that Saudi Arabia has no contact with the new Taliban government in Afghanistan. He said his country will “wait and watch” before recognising the new regime. Saudi Arabia was among the only three nations that recognised the Taliban regime in the 1990s.

“We want inclusivity and assurance of peace and stability in Afghanistan. I discussed this and agreed with India during my meeting with Dr Jaishankar,” he said.

On Sunday, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar had held talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud. The latter arrived in New Delhi on Saturday evening on a three-day visit.

Delighted to welcome FM of Saudi Arabia HH Prince @Faisalbinfarhan for his first ever visit to India. pic.twitter.com/KVk6LRvnZo

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 19, 2021

INDIA-SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told India Today that his country is keen on investing in India.

He said that flights between India and Saudi Arabia would be resumed soon for travel as well as pilgrimage. Flights had been suspended as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the Kashmir issue, the foreign minister stated that it is a “bilateral issue between India and Pakistan”. “They should talk to each other and resolve disputes,” he said.

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