Following is the text of the speech of Speaker of the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) on the occasion of the visit of His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of India to the Majilis Al-Shura.
'Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and prayer be upon the noblest of the prophets and messengers, Prophet Mohammed and his family and companions.Your Excellency, Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the friendly Republic of India. The Shura Council, presidency, officials and members are pleased to welcome your Excellency and your companions on this visit which expresses your high interest and admiration of this council.
Mr. Prime Minister,
You are aware of the important role and great functions undertaken by the Shura Councils in the parliamentary affairs world-wide which embodies an important tributary for governments' endeavors. Majlis Al-Shura in Saudi Arabia exercises the regulatory and oversight function, where it overlooks in the rules and regulations, studies plans and strategies and discusses the conventions and treaties with other countries and organizations. Moreover, the Council studies government agencies performance reports, and it requests the presence of ministers and officials to discuss the agencies' performance and workflow. Hence the Council has a vital role to play in the development and reform process aiming at serving the country and meeting the hopes of citizens.
'Your Excellency,
Now the Shura Council is living its modern era since the update of its regulations eighteen years ago. These days the Shura Council is emerging into the second year of its fifth-run of the new formation. The Shura (consultation) is a basic principle of the governance principles in the Islamic Share'a (Islamic divine law). Consultation has a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and extends for about eighty-five years since Late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman established this state pillars. During this era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Shura Council is living a massive move of quality in all trends.
Your Excellency,
Nowadays, the Council enjoys the confidence and the appreciation of the houses of parliament in friendly and brotherly countries. It has become an active member in the international and regional parliament unions. It enjoys full membership in the IPU and the Arab, Islamic and Asian parliaments. Through those unions, the Council plays an influential and important role. The Shura Council attaches a great importance to develop and promote the relationship with various parliaments of the world through the parliamentary friendship committees. One of these committees is the Saudi-Indian friendship committee. The Shura Council is looking forward to more cooperation with the Indian parliament to serve better mutual interests of both countries and to promote them.
'Your Excellency,
The relationship between the nations of the Gulf and India is ancient and historical extended over a thousand years when the Gulf convoys traveled to India for trades. This led to the establishment of what is known as the Silk Road which helped the establishment of relationship based on cooperation and common interests. Today it seems that this Road has enforced its role and its influence is growing to include all forms of cooperation due to the desire of both Saudi Arabia and India to build relationships more firm and active. The Kingdom enjoys a good and active relationships with lots of countries and by the grace of Allah possesses a religious, political and economic status for its Islamic location and it contains the two Holy Mosques and the Holy Places and as such it cares for Islam and Muslims in the world. And for its ties with countries of the world, it is promoted through relationships based on mutual respect, commitment to UN principles, as well as for its economic status as the largest oil exporter, and as an effective member in the economic twenty group. The Kingdom is witnessing an accelerating growth in the investment sector. Therefore, the Kingdom is always looking for more effective partnership that promotes development and cooperation with friendly and brotherly countries, especially those countries witnessing progress and development in the field of industry, science and technology as the Republic of India which became today an important and effective nation in the equation of the international economy with its political and strategic weightage on both Asian and global levels.
Although the cooperation between the two countries reached an advanced level, however, it will be increased much further due to your Excellency€™s visit following the boost of the bilateral relations due to the historical visit made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to India in January 2006. It was one of the first visits made by King Abdullah after taking the reins of power as a belief in the prominent status of your country on the continental level and internationally. This visit has helped pushing forward the relations between the two countries to a higher promotion-level of cooperation. The commercial exchange increased between the two countries to reach about $27 billion in the year 2008.
Your Excellency,
The world is still living under different conflicts threatening its peace and security. And there are unresolved international issues until this moment because of the failure to comply with United Nations resolutions and commitment to international laws. Israel continues to exercise intransigence towards peace initiatives launched by the Arabs, and the latest of which is launched by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and adopted by the League of the Arab states in 2002. Although eight years have passed since the launching of the initiative, Israel continues aggression, raises tensions in the area and hinders peace efforts. In this regard, we pay tribute to the Republic of India's stands towards the international issues. Realizing this approach will contribute to the efforts of bringing stability and peace in the world. And now allow me to pay tribute to the vital role played by the Republic of India in Asia. We are confident that India along with the countries of this continent is keen on the prevalence of harmony and peace in this important area of the world.
Finally, I would like to assure your Excellency that Shura Council, while being aware of the importance of the relation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India, it will do everything possible to strengthen the relationship. Moreover, it will support all positive cooperation enhancing the relations between the two countries. I, once again, welcome your Excellency and your honorable companions to Shura Council and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which holds for India, its leadership and people, all respect and adoration.
Assalam Alaikum.'
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