Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a landmark two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia starting Tuesday, at the invitation of the Kingdom’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman.

This visit—Modi’s third to the Gulf nation after previous trips in 2016 and 2019—signals the growing warmth in ties between India and Saudi Arabia, especially in energy, investment, and regional security cooperation.

The Prime Minister’s tour comes close on the heels of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s State Visit to India during the G20 Summit in September 2023, where both leaders co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News ahead of the visit, PM Modi described Saudi Arabia as “a force of positivity and stability in the region.” He highlighted the shared maritime interests of both nations in maintaining peace and regional balance.

“Our historic, people-to-people ties and expanding strategic cooperation make Saudi Arabia a vital partner for India,” he stated.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed the significance of the visit, noting that it will provide an opportunity to review progress in the multi-dimensional partnership and exchange views on key regional and global issues.

“India’s relations with the Kingdom have matured into a robust strategic partnership over the last decade, expanding across defence, security, technology, energy, healthcare, education, and cultural exchanges,” said an MEA statement.

Under the Modi government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ foreign policy approach, Saudi Arabia remains one of India’s most crucial bilateral relationships in the extended neighbourhood.

The visit is expected to pave the way for new agreements, boost bilateral trade, and reinforce high-level engagements in key sectors, marking another milestone in India’s Gulf diplomacy.