NSA Doval in Jeddah, meets Saudi Crown Prince

New Delhi/Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, as well as the national security advisers of the UAE and the US, during which they discussed enhancing relations to boost regional growth and stability.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday evening the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, National Security Advisor of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan; the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan; and the National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval, Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, they discussed means to strengthen relations and ties between the three countries in a way that enhances growth and stability in the region, it said.

The visit of NSA Doval comes as Jeddah has been an important point for evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan. India had set up a control room for the evacuation, and all the rescued Indians were taken there from Port Sudan, before being flown to India.

A US readout of the meeting said that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval on May 7 in Saudi Arabia to advance their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world.

Sullivan also held bilateral meetings with the Crown Prince, Sheikh Tahnoon, and NSA Doval to discuss bilateral and regional matters. “He looks forward to further consulting with Mr. Doval on the margins of the Quad Summit later this month in Australia,” it said.

“The four delegations agreed to maintain regular consultations and follow up on the matters discussed throughout the day.”

Earlier this month, NSA Ajit Doval was in Tehran where he held talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani, and also met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

UNI