Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam held a meeting on Friday to review preparations to welcome the Saudi king. King Abdullah will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26, according to a report of Arab News published today. Indian Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, meanwhile, said his country would seek Saudi Aramco's participation in the refinery project of Hindustan Petroleum in Visakhapatnam in southern Andhra Pradesh state. "Our offer of collaboration in Visakhapatnam is open to Saudis," he said. Aiyar hoped to discuss certain bilateral issues with his Saudi counterpart Ali Al-Naimi, who is part of a high-level delegation that will accompany King Abdullah. "The issue of hydrocarbon cooperation is also a component of bilateral talks that are going to be held between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Saudi king," Aiyar said. "So far as the oil component of our energy security is concerned, we have a strong assurance from Saudi Arabia that any incremental requirement will be met by them," he said. The minister further added that 26 percent dependence on Saudi Arabia is the optimal level and now there was a need to diversify oil sources.--MORE 10 30 Local Time 07 30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/320598