Saudi Arabia recognizes Indian envoy’s meritorious service

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Talmiz Ahmad, the Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has been conferred the King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz Medal (First Class) in recognition of his "meritorious contribution to the promotion of Indo-Saudi ties."

Saudi foreign minister, prince Saud Al-Faisal, conferred the award on Ahmad on behalf of King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz , at a function attended by several senior Saudi officials and dignitaries in Jeddah on Sunday.

"This (award) is a tribute from Saudi Arabia to Talmiz Ahmad for his contributions in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries during his two tenures as Indian ambassador," said prince Al-Faisal.

Ahmad, who is the first Indian diplomat to be conferred such an honour by the Kingdom, will leave Saudi Arabia on 3 September after completing his second tenure as ambassador to the Kingdom.

He termed the award as a recognition of the new relationship between India and Saudi Arabia.

"It recognizes the work done at various levels by my predecessors, other diplomats and leaders of the country," Ahmad said.