Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) A six-member Indian women’s delegation will visit Saudi Arabia Oct 8-14 to improve bilateral relations and establish better people-to-people contacts between the two countries, a Saudi Arabian Embassy release said here Wednesday.

The Saudi Arabian Embassy, in association with the Saudi Journalists Association, is organising the visit.

“It is hoped that this delegation’s visit shall set the stage for more people to people contact between the two countries and take bilateral relation to a new height,” the release said.

This visit follows the signing of the “Delhi Declaration” and “Riyadh Declaration” during the respective visits of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Delhi in December 2006 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Riyadh February this year.

The Saudi Journalists Association has arranged a welcome and interactive session with the delegation.

The delegation will visit the Prince Noura University, Ladies Branch of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Association of Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan University and King Abdulaziz National Dialogue Centre.

The delegation includes journalist and writer Nilofar Suhrawardy, former journalist and politician Louise Khurshid, Principal of Indraprastha College Babli Moitra, activist Madhu Kishwar, textile designer Madhu Rao Ayde and cosmetic surgeon Rashmi Taneja.

The release has cited a booming trade relation between the two countries. Trade has increased from $300 million in 2000 to $28 billion in 2009 and the last few years have witnessed a sharp rise in B2B exchanges, visits by eminent dignitaries and bilateral collaboration in different areas.