India-Saudi relations will get new strength, PM Modi will visit on 22 April

National News:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on an official visit to Saudi Arabia on 22 and 23 April this month. The tour is taking place at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is being seen as the beginning of a new era in India-Saudi relations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Egypt said that this visit of Prime Minister Modi will prove to be very important at political, economic and strategic levels.

Strategic partnership will get new direction

During this two-day visit, there will be a second meeting of the 'India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council' between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The council was established in 2019 and its first meeting was held in New Delhi in September 2023, when Crown Prince came to India. 

The two main pillars of the council are political and economics

Prime Minister Modi's visit will be the first visit to Saudi Arabia in his third term. Prior to this, he has also visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019. According to the Foreign Secretary, deep confidence and strategic thinking between the two leaders has strengthened relationships.

MOU will be signed, also talk on the interests of overseas Indians

The Foreign Secretary said that many important agreements (MoUs) are likely to be signed between India and Saudi Arabia during this visit. Among them, areas like business, investment, energy, digital cooperation, and defense will be given priority.

At present, around 27 lakh Indians are living in Saudi Arabia, which is the second largest group of Indian migrants. In such a situation, issues related to the safety, rights and welfare of overseas Indians will also be involved in the conversation.

Discussion will be held on global issues

Regional and global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine War, Israel-Palestine Conflict and attacks by Huki rebels in Yemen will also discuss regional and global issues.

The Egyptian foreign secretary clarified that India believes that the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine crisis is possible only through dialogue. He also informed that India is closely watching the developments happening in West Asia and the Indian Navy has also intensified sea missions for the safety of business ships.

Increasing importance of India-Saudi relations

Diplomatic relations between India and Saudi Arabia were established in 1947, but in the last decade these relations have increased at an unprecedented pace. Recently, 11 ministers of India have gone on Saudi tour and Saudi Foreign and Mineral Minister have also come to India. It is clear that dialogue and cooperation between the two countries is constantly getting stronger.