Saudi youth visit Indian satellite centre

Bangalore, March 26 (IANS) A 40-member youth delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the kingdom's Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah visited the satellite centre of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here Monday.

The delegation, comprising 34 students from secondary schools to college level and six media personnel, were briefed about the highlights of the Indian space programme and applications over the past five decades.

"The Saudi youth evinced keen interest in the activities of the Indian space agency and participated in a lively inter-action with a team of scientists on the occasion," a senior ISRO official told IANS here.

The delegation was also taken on a tour of the facilities and the permanent exhibition displaying the various models of satellites and launch vehicles.

The youth are on a 10-day visit to India since March 22 to promote bilateral relations in the field of science and technology and for a firsthand account of the developments made by Indian institutes and universities.

The Saudi ministry of foreign affairs organised the forum's visit to Hyderabad, Bangalore and New Delhi.

"The objective is to promote growing Saudi, Indian relations and benefit from the Indian experience in the field of information and communication technology. The forum hopes to enable the youth to learn from other cultures as well as foster friendly relations between Saudi and the Indian youth," Saudi embassy official Badr Algarni said in a statement on the eve of their visit.