India, KSA to fight terror together

In an unprecedented gesture, the king himself signed along with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the landmark "Delhi Declaration" which noted that terrorism is a scourge for the entire mankind and the two countries agreed to "closely and actively cooperate to fight the menace."

They also agreed to cooperate in dealing with other transnational crimes like money laundering, drugs and arms smuggling in a "sustained and comprehensive manner" and this would include intelligence-sharing, the declaration stated.

India and Saudi Arabia also committed themselves to making efforts for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which will be placed before the United Nations General Assembly and jointly work for setting up of an International Counter Terrorism Centre.The joint Declaration also committed Saudi Arabia, which supplies 14 percent of India's crude oil need, to increase shipments of oil to energy-hungry Indian economy, the fastest growing in Asia after China, through long-term contracts.

"This is the first time I'm going to sign an agreement with any country," King Abdullah told the media just before signing the declaration with the Indian prime minister at Hyderabad House here.

This was also the first time that India and Saudi Arabia signed a joint declaration. "I don't know how many countries will be jealous of you (India)," Indian prime minister's media advisor Sanjay Baru quoted King Abdullah as saying.

When pointed out that other countries might seek such joint declarations with Saudi Arabia, the monarch reportedly said "other countries are not India".

Reflecting the close bond between India and Saudi Arabia, Manmohan Singh, in a special gesture to the monarch, received and saw him off at the airport.