PM Modi describes ladies at TCS centre in Riyadh as 'glory of Saudi Arabia'

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) : Employees at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) all women IT & ITES Centre in Riyadh were buoyed by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described them as the 'glory of Saudi Arabia'.

Such was the enthusiasm among the black burqa-clad women at the TCS centre that they gathered around the Prime Minister to take selfie with him, ignoring the security protocol in place.

"I am meeting those professionals who are now the glory of Saudi Arabia. This atmosphere I am witnessing here today has the potential to give a strong reply to the world. All of you must come to India, I assure you a very warm reception," Modi said.

The Prime Minster is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. He will be meeting Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's son, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who many feel could be the future monarch, later today.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi visited the Larsen &Toubro workers residential complex at Dahiat Namar and also the historical Masmak Fortress. He also addressed the Indian diaspora, during which he said that political stability was the reason for India's growth in recent times.

"World's attention is towards India due to the economic progress in India. India can contribute a lot to the world," he said, adding that India was making strides in agriculture, industry and services sector.

Modi is the fourth Indian Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia after Manmohan Singh in 2010, Indira Gandhi in 1982 and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956.

During his meetings with the Saudi leadership, Prime Minister Modi is expected to focus on counter-terrorism initiatives and ways to ensure the greater involvement of Indian companies in upstream and downstream oil, gas and hydrocarbon sector projects.