Jeddah [Saudi Arabia]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud held comprehensive bilateral talks and chaired the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting during Modi’s state visit to Saudi Arabia, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan confirmed in a press briefing.
The meeting between the two leaders began with strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered condolences to India and even offered assistance, according to Khan.
While briefing on PM Modi’s engagements, Suhel Ajaz Khan said:
“Honourable Prime Minister arrived in Jeddah today afternoon on a State visit at the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the 3rd visit of the Honourable Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the previous visit in 2016 and 2009. This was the first visit of the Honourable Prime Minister to the historic city of Jeddah. This visit also follows the landmark visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to India in September 2020. Honourable Prime Minister had an extensive schedule of engagements today.”
Khan added:
“The Honourable Prime Minister was received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al Salam Palace this evening. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Palace. It was followed by detailed bilateral discussions and also the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. These two meetings were followed by an informal meeting between the two leaders. The meeting began with a reference to the unfortunate terror attack that had happened in India. Both leaders expressed their condemnation of the terror attack. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince, conveyed his condolences and sympathies and offered any help in this regard to us.”
Discussions during the meeting covered a wide range of topics including energy, defence, trade, technology, culture, and diaspora welfare, and progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
“The Prime Minister’s bilateral meeting was very fruitful, substantial, and forward-looking. Both leaders discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including energy partnerships, defence, trade, investments, technology, culture, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister and His Royal Highness also discussed the progress in the India Middle East Europe Economic corridor, and both the leaders agreed that it is a vision which is beneficial to everyone in the region, and they agreed to expedite the work on the…”
PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for ensuring the welfare of the 2.7 million-strong Indian community in the Kingdom.
Khan shared:
“Prime Minister thanked his Royal Highness for taking care of the welfare of 2.7 million Indian diaspora members living in the kingdom. His Royal Highness particularly mentioned his appreciation of the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the kingdom. He said that everyone in Saudi Arabia loves Indians and there is no Saudi who doesn’t have Indian friends. He emphasised that in the next few years, due to many big developmental projects, they are looking at increasing the number of Indian workers in India.”
Both leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and signed minutes reviewing the work of various joint committees. They also agreed to expand the council’s structure by forming two new committees—on defence cooperation and tourism and culture.
“As you know, the two leaders also agreed to expand the scope of the Strategic Partnership Council, and it has been agreed that from the current 2 committees we will have 4 committees in the Strategic Partnership Council, and the 2 new committees which have been agreed upon are on the defence cooperation and another is on the tourism and cultural.”
They further agreed to establish two oil refineries in India as a joint venture, and reviewed collaboration in investment, taxation, and space.
“Both leaders also welcomed the discussions under the joint high-level task force on Investment. They welcomed the decision to collaborate on establishing two oil refineries as a joint venture in India. They also welcomed the progress that has been made in the areas of taxation and the forward-looking agreements made to facilitate investment on both sides.”
A total of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit:
- On space cooperation between the Saudi Space Agency and India’s Department of Space
- On health cooperation between Saudi Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and its Indian counterpart
- On anti-doping measures between the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee and India’s National Anti-Doping Agency
- An agreement between Saudi Post Corporation and India Post
Aside from official talks, PM Modi engaged with the Indian diaspora and met with yoga expert Padmashri Nouf Marwaii. He was also scheduled to meet the Secretary General of the Muslim World League later in the day.
“Honourable Prime Minister, apart from his engagements at the Royal Palace, also met the Indian community earlier today. He also received yoga expert Padmashri Ms Nouf Marwaai and he’s also going to receive the Secretary General of the Muslim World League later today.”
Khan highlighted the special honours accorded to the Prime Minister on arrival, including a 21-gun salute and fighter jet escort by the Saudi Royal Air Force.
“As you know, the Prime Minister shares a very warm, close, and personal relationship with His Royal Highness Crown Prince, and the warmth and close friendship were very visible during this visit. We are also grateful for the warm welcome given to the Honourable Prime Minister on his arrival in Jeddah. As you know, he was accorded special honours, including a 21-gun salute.”
“The aircraft of the Prime Minister was escorted by a Saudi fighter jet when it entered the Jeddah airspace. These elements exemplify the importance that Saudi Arabia attaches to its relations with India. The Saudi official delegation comprised several senior ministers, including the Minister of Energy, Minister of Sports, Interior, National Guards, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Investment, Deputy Governor of Mecca and also the governor of the Public Investment Fund.”
PM Modi’s two-day visit was a significant step forward in strengthening India-Saudi Arabia ties and showcased both nations’ shared vision for deeper cooperation across diverse sectors.