New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia next Tuesday, during which the two countries are expected to strengthen ties in areas such as defense, security, trade, investment, energy, energy, technology, health, education, education, culture and people-to-people fields. The Prime Minister will travel to the Saudi port of Jeddah, where he is expected to hold talks with Saudi leaders.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a special media briefing on Saturday that India is “becoming a significant” defense store ammunition supplier to Saudi Arabia, and signed an agreement last year to reach $225 million. He also talked about defense industry cooperation and military exercises between the two armed forces to measure bilateral ties.
During the Prime Minister’s visit, several conventions between the two countries are expected to be signed. The Foreign Minister said the Prime Minister and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared a warm personal rapport with great respect for each other.
The Prime Minister and the Saudi Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Bilateral Strategic Partnership Committee during their visit.
Mr. Modi will also visit a factory for Indian workers. Saudi Arabia has a population of 2.7 million Indian communities and are known for their great contributions to the country.
The Foreign Minister said Saudi Arabia is also carrying out large-scale infrastructure development projects, as part of Saudi Vision 2030, with Saudi Arabia’s Indian companies having the opportunity to participate in these projects.
The two countries are also expected to discuss other aspects of their bilateral relations, such as energy cooperation. India has been an importer of Saudi oil and gas to meet its energy needs. Another aspect that may be discussed is the Central East European Economic Corridor (IMEC) Connection Project, where an important pillar will be the grid interconnection between India and the Gulf. Work on this is expected to begin quickly.
Mr Misri acknowledged that due to the West Asia (Israel-Hamas) conflict (starting in 2023), Mr Misri pointed out that “infrastructure links have national relevance” and that India can always interact with other countries.
There is also a free trade agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional organization that includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which will also be discussed between the two leaders.
Bilateral trade and investment relations will also be strengthened, and India seeks more investment from oil Gulf countries and ensures all possible assistance from Saudi Arabia in India’s Saudi investment projects.
The Foreign Minister also said that major global and regional issues will be discussed, such as the West Asian conflict, involving Israeli conflict in Gaza, the Ukraine-Russian War and Peace Initiative to end the war, and the situation involving attacks on ships by the rebels of Yemen Hos.
In answering media questions, Misri ruled out any discussions between the two sides about the recent passage of the WAQF (Amendment) bill in India, noting that the Saudi side did not comment on it, adding that he did not see the reason he should not discuss it.
The Foreign Minister also slammed Pakistan’s attempt to abuse the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in India’s organization, adding that New Delhi has been pointing this to other countries.
The Foreign Minister also said the welfare of large Indian communities, including workers living in Saudi Arabia and making a living, is a “top priority” for the Indian government and will be discussed between the two countries.
In another statement on the Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia, New Delhi said: “This will be the third visit to the Kingdom after his last visit in 2016 and 2019. This visit comes after the Saudi Crown Prince and Saudi Crown Prince and the Saudi Prime Minister participated in the strategy of the first Arab Commission after their international visit to New Delhi in September 2023.
“India and Saudi Arabia have a long history of socio-cultural and trade engagement. As strategic partners, the two countries have strong bilateral relations in all areas, including politics, defense, security, trade, trade, investment, energy, energy, technology, technology, health, education, education, education, education, education, education, education, education, education, education and human-to-person connections.”
New Delhi added: “India’s relationship with the Kingdom has developed into a stronger, lasting partnership over the past decade, expanding into many strategic areas and expanding the expansion and intensity of defense cooperation with growing commitment to investment. High-level exchanges across sectors. India’s visit is linked to the purpose of our two parties, which will closely relate to the unified relationship between our two parties and our two parties. Multi-faceted partnerships, as well as perceptions of various regional and international reciprocity issues.”
