Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a two-day diplomatic visit at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, receiving a grand welcome that included an escort by Saudi fighter jets as his plane approached Jeddah — marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the historic city in 40 years.
This trip is PM Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia in the last decade and is expected to deepen the growing strategic ties between New Delhi and Riyadh while also addressing critical issues, including the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims and pressing regional developments.
Strengthening India-Saudi Arabia Ties
Before embarking on his journey, PM Modi described India’s relations with Saudi Arabia as having “acquired strategic depth and momentum” in recent years. In a statement shared via his blog, the Prime Minister highlighted that the partnership now spans defence cooperation, trade, investment, energy collaboration, and vibrant people-to-people ties.
“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership,” he wrote, underlining the significance of this high-level engagement.
Hajj Quota and Bilateral Discussions
A key focus of PM Modi’s visit is the issue of Hajj pilgrimage quotas. India’s allocation has grown to 175,025 for the 2025 Hajj season, up from 136,020 in 2014. However, due to contractual delays involving private Hajj tour operators, approximately 42,000 Indian pilgrims may miss this year’s sacred journey.
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Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan emphasized the importance of this bilateral aspect, stating:
“Hajj is a very important activity, and the Government of India gives it a lot of importance. There has always been great coordination between the Saudi government and India on this issue.”
Six Key Agreements Expected
The two nations are also preparing to sign six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) across sectors including space exploration, energy cooperation, health, scientific research, advanced technology, and cultural exchange.
Sources report that negotiations continued late into Monday night in Riyadh to finalize over a dozen agreements, with several set to be signed at both official and ministerial levels during PM Modi’s visit.
Regional and Global Security on the Table
The visit also comes at a critical moment for the Middle East, with tensions running high due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and rising threats to maritime security from Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea region.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that these regional flashpoints will be a central part of the closed-door discussions between PM Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, offering both nations an opportunity to align their strategic outlooks on West Asian stability.
Meeting with the Indian Diaspora
PM Modi is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which is home to over 2.7 million Indian expatriates. The Indian community is preparing cultural performances to welcome the Prime Minister and showcase the living bridge between the two nations.+
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The Prime Minister called the diaspora “a vital link in India-Saudi Arabia relations,” praising their contributions to both economies and cultures.
Building on the G20 Momentum
This visit is also a continuation of the Strategic Partnership Council dialogue, which was initiated during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2023 state visit to India for the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Strengthening these institutional ties remains high on the agenda, as both countries look to solidify long-term collaboration.
This historic trip underlines the deepening ties between India and one of its most crucial energy and strategic partners. As PM Modi meets with Saudi leadership and the Indian community, the visit is expected to shape future cooperation on a global, regional, and bilateral level.
