There is a possibility for signing of treaties on extradition and transfer of sentenced persons. Issues of regional security vis-à-vis Afghanistan and Pakistan will be discussed.

Singh is expected to discuss regional and global issues in the spirit of the “Delhi Declaration” which was signed in 2006 on the occasion of King Abdullah's visit to India. The visit aims at reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries. Several agreements and MoUs representing a broad range of cooperation in the areas of security, science and technology, culture, media will be signed which will further enrich and institutionalize the strategic objectives and cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.

Setting up of joint ventures in fertilizer sector and investment fund will also be discussed.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Murli Deora, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor and a delegation of senior officials and captains of the industry. This visit comes four years after the landmark visit of King Abdullah, when he was the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebration in 2006. The Saudi King's visit to India in 2006 was significant as he was the first Saudi ruler to visit India after a gap of 50 years. The last visit of the Saudi King and the present visit to Saudi Arabia by the Indian Prime Minister show the warming up of the relations between the two countries.

“My visit carries special significance. I am conscious of the fact that this will be only the third visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia. I, therefore, have a vast agenda for discussions with the Saudi leadership,” the prime minister said before his departure to Saudi Arabia.

The Gulf region is an area of vital importance for India's security and prosperity. India and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed special relations based on several millennia of civilisational and cultural linkages and people to people exchanges. Saudi Arabia is India's largest and most reliable supplier of our energy needs from the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia is home to an Indian community numbering about 1.8 million. As many as 165,000 Indian pilgrims perform the Haj annually. Bilateral trade and investment linkages have grown though they remain much below the potential of both the economies.

The bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia during 2008-2009 exceeded US$ 25 billion. Many Indian companies are active in various sectors. The 25-member Indian business delegation will have interactions with their Saudi counterparts to establish mutually beneficial business partnerships. The Prime Minister will address the Shoura Council which is a unique honour bestowed upon select dignitaries.

He will address the captains of Saudi business and industry during his visit and will also be interacting with a cross section of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia whose role and contribution for the development there has been appreciated.