Thursday, January 26 2006 11:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Terming India as his 'second home', Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz today (Jan 25,2006) said his visit would help in renewing the historical ties between the two countries.

"I thank President (A P J Abdul Kalam), Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and people of India for the warm reception accorded to me and my delegation," the Saudi King told reporters after he was accorded the ceremonial guard of honour by the three defence services in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"The two countries share good relations in the past andmy visit will help in renewing the historical ties between the two countries," he said. "I consider myself in second home," the 83-year-old Saudi King said.

Earlier, the King, who arrived in the capital last evening, was received by President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After inspecting a guard of honour by the three wings of the defence, the Saudi King was introduced to the Union cabinet ministers which was followed by introduction of Kalam with the accompanying Saudi delegation.

Later, the President, the Saudi King and the Prime Minister posed for photographs before the Saudi Monarch and Singh left for Hyderabad House for delegation-level talks.

The President would be hosting a banquet in the honour of the Saudi King later today.

India has been attaching a great significance to this visit, taking place after five decades. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had deviated from protocol to receive the Saudi Monarch at the Palam techincal airport last evening.