Indicative of the growing importance of Saudi Arabia in India’s foreign and strategic policies, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was a surprise presence at the Saudi National Day at a five-star hotel where he was seen having an interaction with the Saudi envoy, reports said on Friday.
The entry of Doval, considered one of India’s most powerful officials with a strong say in foreign policy, at the gala event was noted by all.
Doval, who is a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is not known to attend such events.
But the camaraderie between the National Security Adviser and the Saudi envoy Saud Al-Sati, as they chatted for close to 20 minutes, with photographers clicking away, was perhaps a signal of India cementing its strategic relations with one of the Gulf’s most important countries. (Agencies)