India-Saudi Arabia Ties Boosted as Modi Visits India's Valued Partner
The India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting will focus on strengthening economic and defense ties, with at least six Memorandums of Understanding expected to be signed, and the visit is expected to result in the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a proposed Free Trade Agreement, highlighting the growing trust and cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a two-day official visit, aiming to strengthen economic and defense ties with one of India's most valued partners, with at least six Memorandums of Understanding expected to be signed in areas such as space, energy, and advanced technology.
The visit is seen as a key step in boosting economic ties and strengthening India's engagement with the broader Gulf and Islamic world. Modi will co-chair the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on strengthening economic and defense ties. The two leaders will also discuss the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims, with Modi emphasizing the importance of religious tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Modi has praised Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman's leadership, calling him a strong advocate of bilateral ties and a visionary who has inspired global admiration through the reforms under Vision 2030. The Indian Prime Minister has welcomed deeper integration of Saudi and Indian businesses, particularly in emerging sectors like green hydrogen and technology, and highlighted shared economic ambitions, citing trade growth despite global challenges.
The visit is also expected to result in the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a proposed Free Trade Agreement, with Modi emphasizing the importance of defense cooperation and joint military exercises, highlighting the growing trust between the two countries. Saudi Arabia is India's third-largest oil supplier and is home to over 2 million Indian nationals, making the visit a strategic move to boost India's economy, which relies heavily on oil imports.
Overall, Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia is expected to strengthen the ties between the two countries, with a focus on economic cooperation, defense ties, and cultural exchanges, and is seen as a key step in boosting India's engagement with the broader Gulf and Islamic world.