• The Daily Hints
• 22 Apr, 2025

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Jeddah on April 22nd, 2025, kicking off a two-day official visit that promises to deepen India’s bond with Saudi Arabia. Welcomed with a grand 21-gun salute and escorted by Saudi Royal fighter jets, Modi’s trip at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signals a new chapter in bilateral ties. From signing key agreements to connecting with the Indian diaspora, this visit is set to make waves.

Details & Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Jeddah marks his third visit to Saudi Arabia, following trips in 2016 and 2019 but it’s his first to the commercial hub of Jeddah. The visit, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. As Modi’s plane entered Saudi airspace, Saudi Royal fighter jets escorted it in a special gesture, symbolising the warmth and respect between the two nations.

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The two leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council, a platform established in 2019 to strengthen ties in areas like trade, defence, energy and culture. India and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the visit, covering fields such as space, health, energy, science and advanced technology. Discussions are also ongoing to finalise additional agreements, highlighting the ambitious scope of this partnership.

Modi’s itinerary includes a one-on-one meeting with the Crown Prince at the Royal Palace in Jeddah where they will tackle key issues like the Hajj pilgrimage quota for Indian pilgrims. India’s Hajj quota for 2025 has increased to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014, though delays by private operators may prevent around 42,000 pilgrims from participating this year. Modi aims to ensure smoother coordination for future pilgrimages.

The Prime Minister will also engage with the 2.7 million-strong Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, a vibrant community that serves as a cultural bridge. On April 23rd, Modi will visit a factory employing Indian workers, a nod to their vital role in Saudi Arabia’s economy. This gesture reinforces India’s commitment to its expatriates who contribute significantly through remittances and cultural exchange.

Quotes
In his departure statement, PM Modi expressed optimism about the visit

·      “India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership.”

Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, highlighted Jeddah’s significance

·      “Jeddah is a very significant city in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, it was the port for trade between the two countries and it is also a gateway to Mecca.”

A member of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah shared their excitement on X

·      “We are so grateful to welcome PM Modi. It’s a proud moment for us.!”

Additional Information
The India-Saudi partnership has flourished in recent years, with bilateral trade reaching $43 billion, making Saudi Arabia India’s fifth-largest trading partner. The Kingdom is a key supplier of crude oil, accounting for over 18% of India’s imports and a vital defence partner. The Strategic Partnership Council, co-chaired by Modi and the Crown Prince has driven cooperation in emerging sectors like green hydrogen and technology.

Modi’s visit also carries geopolitical weight amid tensions in West Asia including the Israel-Palestine conflict and Houthi attacks on maritime security. The leaders will discuss regional stability, maritime safety, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a trade connectivity plan launched in 2023.

While this visit focuses on India-Saudi ties, it’s worth noting Saudi Arabia’s broader international engagements. Recently, Saudi Arabia and China signed two memoranda of cooperation to enhance educational ties, focusing on scholarships for Saudi students in Chinese universities and introducing Chinese language programs in Saudi schools. These agreements, signed during Saudi Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan’s visit to Beijing, reflect Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of diversifying education and fostering global partnerships. Though unrelated to Modi’s visit, they highlight Saudi Arabia’s active role in global education reform.

Read More: Global Education | Saudi-China Education Pact, Scholarships and Chinese Language Programs Launched

Impact Analysis
Modi’s Jeddah visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over four decades is a historic milestone. Jeddah’s role as a trade hub and gateway to Mecca makes it a symbolic choice, reinforcing India’s cultural and economic ties with the Islamic world. The signing of MoUs in space, energy and health will boost innovation and economic collaboration, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and India’s development goals.

The focus on the Hajj quota addresses a pressing concern for India’s Muslim community, enhancing Modi’s domestic goodwill. However, the inability of 42,000 pilgrims to participate this year due to logistical issues underscores the need for better coordination, which Modi’s talks aim to resolve.

The Indian diaspora, one of the largest in Saudi Arabia will benefit from Modi’s engagement. His factory visit highlights their economic contributions and could lead to improved labour conditions or repatriation agreements for Indian prisoners, a humanitarian issue raised by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Globally, the visit strengthens India’s position in West Asia a region critical for energy and security. By deepening ties with Saudi Arabia, a leading voice in the Islamic world, India can play a larger role in addressing regional conflicts and advancing initiatives like the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

PM Modi’s 2025 Saudi Arabia visit is a bold step toward cementing a strategic partnership with limitless potential. From signing transformative MoUs to addressing Hajj concerns and celebrating the Indian diaspora, this trip blends diplomacy, culture and economics. As Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chart the future of India-Saudi ties, the world watches a partnership that promises prosperity and stability. This historic Jeddah visit is not just a diplomatic win—it’s a bridge to a stronger, shared future.

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