NEW DELHI: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to form a crisis management group to address problems faced by laid-off Indian workers and said the ties between the two country have reached new heights under the Narendra Modi government.
"We express gratitude to the Saudi Arabia government for their cooperation in protecting the interests of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia.
"The relations of India and Saudi Arabia are decades old and have reached new heights under the Narendra Modi-led NDA government," the Minority Affairs Minister (Independent Charge) said after his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to New Delhi Dr Saud Mohammed Alsati.
The issue related to facilities being given to Haj pilgrims from India was also discussed at the meeting, a statement said. This year, about 1.30 lakh people will undertake the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia has set up a crisis management group to address problems being faced by thousands of laid-off Indian workers, while a separate panel has been appointed to look into their claims relating to unpaid wages.
The "humanitarian issue" is being handled with "utmost care and consideration" by the Saudi government which conveyed to India that it has expedited the exit of workers who wish to return home.
Meanwhile, Naqvi held two separate meetings with Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Haj and Waqf Farooq Ahmad Andrabi and discussed issues related to education and employment in the state and also a delegation of Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
After the meeting with Andrabi, Naqvi said the Modi government is committed to socio-economic-educational development of the poor, weaker sections and minorities.
"Jammu and Kashmir is joining mainstream development process with a great speed. But we have to be careful to defeat the forces which want to destroy peace and progress in the state," he said.
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah delegation discussed issues related to the Dargah.