Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday called upon Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to India to set up a Saudi consulate in state capital Hyderabad.The Chief Minister made the demand when Ambassador Saud Mohammed Al-Sati met him here.According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Al-Sati told Rao that they are pursuing efforts in this regard.The Chief Minister said the consulate would be of great help as nearly 300,000 people from Telangana are living in Saudi Arabia. In addition, people belonging to various parts of erstwhile Hyderabad state and working in Saudi Arabia also use Hyderabad as a transit route.Rao brought to the Ambassador's notice the problem faced in bringing back bodies of migrant workers who die in Saudi Arabia and urged him to take necessary steps to redress the problem.The Ambassador told Rao that Saudi Arabia was ready to invest in various sectors in Telangana and partner with the newly formed state in its development.
Recalling the historic and cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Hyderabad, the Chief Minister noted that the sixth Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha, had built 'Rubat' near the grand mosque in Makkah for the convenience of Haj pilgrims
Observing that Telangana is keen to strengthen its friendship with Saudi Arabia, Rao said trade and investment would go a long way in this regard.The Ambassador informed Rao that his government had asked the Ministries of Finance and Commerce to initiate efforts towards investment in Telangana, said the statement.Al-Sati said he learnt about the rapid development in Telangana during a meeting with experts at Confederation of Indian Industry.The Chief Minister explained to the foreign dignitary the new industrial policy of Telangana and claimed it is the best policy in the world.He also highlighted the measures taken by his government for the welfare of minorities.The Saudi Ambassador on Friday offered prayers in historic Makkah Masjid here and also visited Osmania University.