The picture of the handout released by Saudi news agency shows that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands after the signing ceremony of the agreement held in Jeddah on April 22, 2025. |Photo source: AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened his visit to Saudi Arabia after terrorists killed at least 26 Indians in Pahalgam. Official sources told the official sources that despite Mr. Modi’s decision to leave a few hours after the landing of the Gulf Kingdom, bilateral discussions between Saudi Arabia and the Indian lady took place.
Earlier, Mr. Modi arrived in the historic Jeddah city of Jeddah on Tuesday (22 April 2025) for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Prior to the visit, the Prime Minister said that bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia have gathered “huge momentum” in recent years and described the Gulf Kingdom as “a force of positive and stable.”
“India values our historical relationship with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral relations have achieved great momentum over the past decade. I look forward to attending the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Committee. I will also interact with the Indian community there,” the Prime Minister said in a pre-development statement. As a special gesture, the Prime Minister’s plane escorted the Royal Saudi Air Force F15 aircraft in Saudi airspace.
In an interview with Arab News, Saudi Arabia’s leading British publication, Modi described the energy-rich kingdom as “one of India’s most valuable partners, trusted friends and strategic allies”. “In a world full of uncertainty, our bond is the backbone of stability.” The Prime Minister described Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as “a strong advocate of our bilateral relations.”
“Deep Impression”
Modi said in the Saudi Crown Prince about the Arab Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia: “Every time I see him, his Royal Highness impressed me.
The Prime Minister said India and Saudi Arabia are formulating bilateral investment treaties. He shared that India and Saudi Arabia are currently engaged in feasibility studies as part of the Central Eastern European Economic Corridor (IMEEC) initiative. “We believe that Saudi Arabia is a force for active and stable in the region. When maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia have natural interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Modi said.
publishing – April 23, 2025 12:41 AM IST
