India is the guest of honour at this year’s Riyadh book fair, which is underway in Saudi capital Riyadh. The book fair is described as the largest annual book exhibition in the Middle East where hundreds of publishing houses, distributors and a large number of retail booksellers are participating. Speaking during a reception held in honour of Indian scholars who have come to attend the book fair, the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Talmiz Ahmad expressed happiness that India has become a part of the intellectual excitement that is prevailing in Saudi Arabia and in the Arab world in general. According to Arab news, the Indian Ambassador expressed happiness that a number of Indian scholars of Arabic are present to discuss with their Arab counterparts the different aspects of the intellectual ferment that is sweeping the region. The fair will run through 11th March where Seminars and a number of cultural events such as literary evenings are also being organised on the sidelines of the show.