Modi Makes Historic Visit to Jeddah, Deepening India-Saudi Ties Across Sectors
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah on Monday for a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The visit marks Modi’s first trip to the kingdom’s commercial hub in over 40 years and reflects a growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
Modi and bin Salman are set to co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council, a forum launched in 2019 to bolster cooperation in trade, defense, energy, and technology. “Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me,” Modi told Arab News, praising the crown prince’s “forward-thinking vision” and reforms under Vision 2030.
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A number of new agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including in petrochemicals, infrastructure, and defense. Modi also revealed ongoing feasibility studies for power grid interconnectivity between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued around $43 billion. It is also home to approximately 2.7 million Indian nationals. During the visit, Modi will meet workers at a local factory and hold discussions on regional security, including maritime threats and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The visit reflects India’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the Gulf, especially in light of shifting global alliances and growing ties with both the Global South and G20 nations.
