​India, Saudi Arabia strengthen bilateral relationship with PM Modi’s third visit to Jeddah​

PM Modi arrives in Jeddah for a 2-day state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. India and Saudi Arabia enjoys close relations reflecting the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. Diplomatic relations were established in 1947, since then, both countries have advanced in bringing bilateral ties closer, calling each other “a trusted friend and strategic ally.” (Pic credit: ANI)

India is the 2nd largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia, in FY 2023-24, bilateral trade stood at USD 42.98 billion, with Indian exports at USD 11.56 billion and imports at USD 31.42 billion. (Pic credit: PMO)

Former King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held a historic meeting, signing the Delhi Declaration with the former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his State visit to India in January 2006. (Pic credit: PIB)

At the invitation of the former King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the then Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from February 27 to March 1, 2010. During the visit, the Prime Minister of India addressed the Majlis Al-Shoura, and an honorary doctorate was conferred upon the Prime Minister by King Saud University. (Pic credit: PIB)

During his first official visit to Saudi Arabia in April 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Kingdom’s highest civilian honor, the ‘King Abdulaziz Sash’. Former King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and PM Modi expressed satisfaction at the regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, underlining that the Delhi Declaration (2006) and the Riyadh Declaration (2010) elevated the mutually beneficial bilateral relations to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’. (Pic credit: PMO)

PM Modi visited Riyadh to sign Strategic Partnership Council Agreement, establishing a high-level council to steer the India Saudi Arabia relationship. 12 MoUs/Agreements were signed during the visit across several fields, including energy, security, defence production, civil aviation, medical products, strategic petroleum reserves, small and medium scale industries, and training of diplomats. During the visit, PM Modi also delivered the keynote address at the 3rd Future Investment Initiative Summit. (Pic credit: PMO)

The sea phase of the second edition of bilateral exercise 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23', between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF), was held from May 23-25, 2023, off Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. INS Tarkash, INS Subhadra, and Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft (MPA) participated in the exercise from the Indian side. The Royal Saudi Naval Forces were represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo and UAV. The three-day exercise at sea witnessed a wide spectrum of maritime operations. (Pic credit: PIB)

After participating in the G20 summit held in India in September 2023, Mohammed bin Salman stayed back for a state visit during which the two countries announced formation of a taskforce to channel investments into India worth $100 million, which the Saudi government had announced in 2019 and half of which was meant for the upcoming refinery in Maharashtra, backed by Saudi oil giant Aramco. (Pic credit: PMO)

The bilateral agreement for Haj 2025 was signed on January 13, 2025, in Jeddah between India’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. Both sides discussed strategies to enhance cooperation to ensure a smooth and fulfilling pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims. A quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims has been allocated to India. (Pic credit: PIB)