Bus tragedy: High-level Indian delegation arrives in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah (PTI): A high-level Indian government delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to provide assistance and oversee relief measures in coordination with Saudi authorities following the tragic bus accident involving Indian pilgrims.
The delegation, led by Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer, arrived in Madina, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a social media post.
India's Ambassador Suhel Khan, Consulate General of India in Jeddah Fahad Suri and Saudi Foreign Ministry officials received the delegation.
"The Governor is leading an Indian delegation to Saudi Arabia following the tragic bus accident in Madina involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, in order to render fullest assistance and oversee relief measures," it said.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, is also part of the delegation.
The delegation is also expected to participate in the last rites of the deceased.
Several Indian Umrah pilgrims, most of them from Telangana, were killed in the horrific bus accident near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Madina early Monday.
More than 40 Indians were travelling on the bus that reportedly collided with an oil tanker around 1.30 am (IST), and most of the deceased appeared to be Indians, officials said a day earlier. The bus was learnt to be on its way from Mecca to Madina.
The Embassy of India, Riyadh and the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, are working closely with the local authorities to expedite the identification of mortal remains.
The Indian government is also facilitating the travel of the families of the deceased to Saudi Arabia.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
