Article Posted on : - Jul 06, 2010

A File Photo.

DUBAI (PTI): A delegation of scientists from Saudi Arabia are set to visit India to ink an agreement with space agency ISRO for boosting cooperation that will help the country develop an indigenous space programme.

The Saudi delegation, comprising of the country's leading scientists will visit the India Space Research Organisation later this month.

The agreement to boost cooperation in space science is in line with an MoU signed between the two countries' space agencies during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Riyadh earlier this year.

The visit of Saudi scientists would pave the way for a cooperation that will help Riyadh develop its indigenous space programme for peaceful purposes, an Arab daily reported.

The Saudi delegation will comprise of scientists from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and other scientific institutions in the Kingdom, Rajeev Shahare, outgoing deputy chief at the Indian mission in Riyadh, was quoted as saying by Arab News.

Shahare said that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between KACST and ISRO during the Prime Minister's visit.

He said that ISRO would provide expertise to Riyadh as it has been conducting a variety of operations for both Indian and foreign clients.