US President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, media reports confirmed.
This is his first known conversation with a foreign leader since assuming office, and it comes amid a complex situation in the Middle East.
During the call, the Crown Prince congratulated Trump and conveyed the congratulations of King Salman to the President after being sworn in, wishing the American people further progress and prosperity.
The pair discussed bilateral cooperation to establish peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.
A freshly struck hostage-and-ceasefire deal is leading to hopes for greater normalisation between Israel and its neighbours.
In the call, Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump "discussed ways of cooperation between the Kingdom and the United States of America to establish peace, security and stability in the Middle East region, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism," according to a statement from the Saudi official news agency.
Saudi Arabia was Trump's first stop abroad during his first presidency.
He said in the Oval Office this week that he chose the kingdom because officials there vowed to make significant investments in the United States. He said he would consider returning to Saudi Arabia if similar investments were made.
Prince Mohammed appears to have received the message.
In Wednesday's call, Prince Mohammed stressed "the Kingdom's desire to expand its investments and trade relations with the US in the next four years by an amount of $600 billion, expected to increase if additional opportunities become available".
Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince cultivated close relations during his first term, helped in part by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The warm ties came despite a US intelligence report finding Prince Mohammed played a significant role in the murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman becomes the first foreign leader to hold a phone call with US President Donald Trump since he returned to office this week for a second term.
The deal would likely be part of a massive defence agreement that Riyadh is looking to sign with Washington, which would provide Saudi Arabia with security guarantees from the US if it faces attack and be accompanied by huge investments in the American economy.
Trump told Saudi Crown Prince that he looks forward to working with Riyadh to advance common interests, the Saudi readout added.
There is no readout immediately available from the White House.
Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs'
As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Indian pharmaceutical exports get reprieve from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Because of the importance of India’s pharmaceuticals to US healthcare, those exports will get a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the White House.
India stands less impacted by Trump tariffs than global peers: Industry
As US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, industry experts said on Thursday that it appears India's export competitiveness to the US market stands far less impacted on a relative basis compared to global peers.
IAF pilot killed, another critical as Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Gujarat
An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, while another sustained critical injuries after their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Gujarat's Jamnagar Airfield, the IAF confirmed on Thursday.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Tripura CM stresses promoting NE states' potential to attract investment
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the development of the communication process and system has generated a lot of investment potential, and therefore, more emphasis should be placed on promotion to attract investors in all the northeastern states.
Tripura has 94,723 Lakhpati Didis; 93,425 women to get similar status soon: Minister
Among the 4,75,582 Self Help Group (SHGs) members in Tripura, 94,723 women emerged as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through their engagement in various enterprising units and 93,425 more women would be ‘Lakhpati Didis’ soon, Social Welfare and Labour Minister Tinku Roy said.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.