mohammed bin salman: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman defers Pakistan trip

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who had planned to visit Pakistan on November 21 on his way back from the G20 Summit in Bali and a state visit to Seoul, has now postponed that, ostensibly keeping in mind India’s sensitivities.

Salman had planned separate trips to India and Pakistan with the India leg on November 14 ahead of Bali and Seoul, followed by Pakistan on his way back home.

But with the India visit being rescheduled due to scheduling issues, Salman has decided to postpone his visit to Islamabad as well, as skipping New Delhi alone would have cast a shadow on growing strategic ties with India, sources told ET, adding that the Saudi government was well versed with India’s sensitivities.

Pakistan was hoping to garner an aid package from Saudi Arabia, but Riyadh is closely following political uncertainty in Pakistan, ET has learnt. Media reports from Pakistan have said that the new Army chief’s appointment at the end of this month may have also played a role in Salman’s decision to skip the Islamabad leg of the visit.

Riyadh’s ties with New Delhi are on upswing. Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in joining BRICS.