New Delhi: India should join Russia in having observer status in the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the ruler of Saudi Arabia said in an interview published on Monday.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying in the Hindustan Times that it would be helpful if the nomination were put forward by Pakistan, and expressed the hope that tensions between the two countries would eventually ease.
"I believe the Indo-Pakistan conflict is not in the interest of either country," he said.
Abdullah was scheduled to arrive in India for a four-day visit today. He will be the chief guest at New Delhi's Republic Day parade, which marks the anniversary of the 1950 signing of India's constitution.
In the interview, Abdullah rejected suggestions that Saudi Arabia is providing support to anti-Indian militants in Kashmir.
"Saudi financial support to Pakistan is only given to the government of Pakistan," he said.
Business summit
During his visit, King Abdullah will address a business summit to be attended by top industry representatives of the two countries.
The first visit by a Saudi monarch to India in 51 years is expected to lead to a strategic and economic re-engagement for what both sides are now projecting as a sustained and deeper relationship that will offset suspicions raised by New Delhi's friendship with Israel and Saudi Arabia's close links with Pakistan.
India and Saudi Arabia are working to give a strategic dimension to their relationship by formalising joint cooperation on organised crime including international terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as formalising a higher level of energy cooperation.
Iran, Iraq and Palestine will be some of the political issues that will be discussed by the King Abdullah with the Indian government.
With additional inputs by The Asian Age
