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PM Modi in Jeddah: Strengthening Ties with Saudi Arabia Through a Historic Visit

 

PM Modi in Jeddah: Strengthening Ties with Saudi Arabia Through a Historic Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has touched down in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a powerful two-day diplomatic visit set to advance India’s growing relationship with the Kingdom. This is Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia, but his first visit to Jeddah, the Kingdom’s economic powerhouse. What makes this visit even more significant is that it’s the first time in over 40 years that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Jeddah.

The visit kicks off with symbolism and warmth—Modi’s plane was escorted by Saudi Royal Fighter Jets as it entered Saudi airspace, a rare honor and a powerful sign of the strategic depth between the two nations.

PM Modi was invited by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the Kingdom’s Prime Minister. Together, they are expected to co-chair the second India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, a high-level platform created to institutionalize cooperation across key sectors.

What’s on the agenda? A lot:

  • Signing of multiple MoUs covering trade, defence, energy, and infrastructure

  • Talks on reviving the energy dialogue, particularly in light of the stalled Aramco-Reliance deal

  • Discussions on $100 billion in Saudi investments announced in 2019

  • Exploring synergies between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap

  • Direct engagement with the Indian workforce in Saudi Arabia

According to Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the visit will help infuse a more strategic outlook into the energy relationship and explore new avenues for cooperation in renewables, healthcare, tourism, and entertainment.

With bilateral trade between the two countries touching $43 billion in 2023–24, this visit isn’t just symbolic—it’s strategic. It reflects India’s growing influence in the Gulf region and highlights Saudi Arabia’s intent to diversify partnerships in its journey towards Vision 2030.

In Modi’s own words: “India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years.”

The world is watching—this is diplomacy in motion, with long-term impact for both nations.

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