Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman orders release of 850 Indian prisoners from Saudi jails on Narendra Modi's request

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in his country’s jails on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request as the two leaders held extensive talks here, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. After the talks, it was also announced that India has decided to extend e-Visa facility to Saudi nationals. [caption id=“attachment_6119431” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday. Reuters[/caption] In an important development, Saudi Arabia also joined the International Solar Alliance, a move welcomed by the prime minister, MEA officials said. Both sides noted the potential of cooperation in the renewable energy sector, not only in investment but also in research and development, a joint statement issued after the talks said. In another significant move, Saudi Arabia has also agreed to resolve issues relating to Indian workers who are currently stranded in the kingdom due to the closure of a foreign company, TS Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said. Bin Salman had ordered the release of about 2,100 Pakistani prisoners from the kingdom’s jails during a high-profile visit to Islamabad on Monday. Prince Mohammed had arrived in Pakistan on Sunday at the beginning of an Asian tour, which will include China and is seen as an attempt by him to rebuild his reputation after the murder of Saudi critic and journalist Jamal Khashoggi.