India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport signaling the significance that India attaches to its strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The Crown Prince touched down in New Delhi late on Tuesday. PM Modi, in a break from normal protocol, welcomed the Saudi prince at the airport with a warm hug.

PM Modi later tweeted: “India is delighted to welcome HRH Mohammed Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Crown Prince’s two-day visit takes place against the backdrop of an escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 44 personnel of the CRPF lost their lives.