Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Jan 26: Saudi Arabia’s top leadership, including King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on Monday conveyed warm greetings to President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of India’s Republic Day, underscoring the close and growing partnership between the two nations.
In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was said that King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sent a message congratulating President Murmu and wished her continued good health and happiness. He also extended his best wishes for sustained progress and prosperity to the government and people of India, while highlighting the strong and friendly relations shared by the two countries and the collective commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a separate congratulatory message to President Murmu, expressing his warm wishes for her well-being and for the continued advancement and prosperity of India and its people.
India and Saudi Arabia have significantly strengthened their bilateral engagement in recent years. In April last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the Kingdom, the two sides expanded the Strategic Partnership Council by adding new ministerial committees focused on defence cooperation as well as tourism and culture. The visit marked PM Modi’s third trip to Saudi Arabia, undertaken at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though it was curtailed following the Pahalgam terror attack.
During the visit, the two leaders jointly chaired the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and expressed satisfaction over expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, energy, trade, investment, technology and education. With the addition of new committees, the council now comprises four ministerial bodies, reflecting the broadening scope of engagement.
Both countries also welcomed the steady rise in bilateral trade, noting that India has become Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner, while the Kingdom ranks as India’s fifth-largest. The leaders agreed to fast-track discussions on the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement and signed several memoranda of understanding covering sectors including health, space, postal services and anti-doping cooperation.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to aligning Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047, agreeing to work together in areas of shared interest to achieve national development goals and promote mutual prosperity.