New Delhi [India]: As part of his upcoming official visit to Saudi Arabia on April 22 and 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit a factory employing Indian workers and interact with them, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday.
The visit comes at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and will be the first official trip by PM Modi to the Kingdom in his third term. It will mark his third visit to Saudi Arabia, following earlier visits in 2016 and 2019.
People-to-People Ties and Community Engagement
Foreign Secretary Misri emphasized the significance of People-to-People relations, noting that nearly 2.7 million Indians currently live and work in Saudi Arabia, making it the second-largest overseas Indian community.
“The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is very well regarded for its significant contribution to the national life and economic development of the Kingdom,” Misri said.
He also highlighted that PM Modi’s visit to the factory will underscore the importance of Indian workers in bilateral ties.
MoUs and Cooperation in Key Sectors
The visit is expected to witness the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse sectors, including media, entertainment, sports, and cultural cooperation.
“Some of these are in the final stage of approvals and brushing up, and we will have more details to release during the course of the visit,” the Foreign Secretary added.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
During the visit, PM Modi and Crown Prince Salman will also co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council, building on the outcomes of their last meeting during the G20 Summit in New Delhi (September 2023).
Misri further mentioned Saudi Arabia’s positive role in supporting Indian pilgrims and praised the warm reception of Yoga in the Kingdom, noting that it has been “very well received.”
The visit is expected to deepen strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations and reflect the expanding geopolitical and economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.