New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Saudi Arabia was quite successful in promoting India's interests and also in the fight against terror, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla said here on Tuesday.
She also hinted at some "good news" soon from Riyadh on New Delhi's request to increase the Haj quota.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia was very successful and fruitful in promoting India's and Indians' interests. Our bilateral relations have strengthened, and Saudi Arabia is ready to cooperate with us in the fight against terror, Heptulla said.
The prime minister's visit will have helped instil confidence in the 2.5 million strong Indian diaspora in the largest Gulf country, she added.
Another aspect of this visit was that we have been seeking better facilities for the Indian Haj pilgrims. Also, we want the quota allotted to us increased. We may hear some good news very soon in this connection, the minister added.
Every year, 1,50,000 Indian pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj, though many more apply for it. The names are finalised through lucky draw system.
I think, with strengthened bilateral relations, more investment would come into India from Saudi Arabia, Heptulla added.
Apart from being India's largest supplier of crude oil, Saudi Arabia is also India's fourth largest trading partner.
