Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Jeddah on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is set to hold talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Modi was given a warm ceremonial welcome upon arrival, including a 21-gun salute and an escort by F-15 fighter jets of the Royal Saudi Air Force — a gesture seen as a sign of deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.
“Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia… This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. Eager to take part in the various programmes today and tomorrow,” the Prime Minister posted on X in both English and Arabic, sharing images from his arrival.
He was welcomed at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel by enthusiastic members of the Indian community. As a mark of cultural affection, Saudi singer Hashim Abbas performed the patriotic song ‘Ae Watan Mere Aabad Rahe Tu’ from the Bollywood film Raazi, drawing cheers and applause as Modi clapped along with the audience. The lobby also echoed with the song ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’, sung by members of the Indian diaspora eagerly awaiting his arrival.
During his stay, Modi will co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Council, established during Modi’s 2019 visit, aims to enhance cooperation across key sectors such as defence, energy, investment, technology, and people-to-people ties.
India and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign at least six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during this visit, with ongoing talks to finalise additional agreements. These are likely to cover fields such as space, energy, healthcare, scientific research, culture, and advanced technology. Issues related to Hajj, including quotas for Indian pilgrims, are also expected to be discussed.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, Modi said in a departure statement: “India and Saudi Arabia have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership, including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people ties. We share a commitment to promoting regional peace, prosperity, security, and stability.”
The Prime Minister also described Saudi Arabia as “one of India’s most valued partners, a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend and a strategic ally.” In an interview with Arab News, he further referred to the Kingdom as “a force of positivity and stability in the region.”
On Wednesday, Modi is scheduled to visit a local factory employing Indian workers and will continue his interactions with the Indian community, which plays a vital role in strengthening the cultural and economic links between the two nations. Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 2.7 million Indians, one of the largest expatriate communities in the Kingdom.
Modi was previously awarded Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour in 2016, and he referred to the Crown Prince as “my brother,” underlining the warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders.
