JEDDAH: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for his third visit to the Gulf kingdom, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The trip comes a day after Modi held high-level talks with US Vice President JD Vance in India, with New Delhi focused on finalizing a trade deal with Washington and addressing tariff concerns.
In a statement, Modi emphasized the long-standing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, saying, “India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years.” He further noted the mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations.
During his two-day visit, Modi discussed joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals, as well as ongoing feasibility studies for electricity grid interconnectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and the wider region. Saudi Arabia remains a key oil supplier to India, the world’s most populous country, with the Gulf kingdom being India’s third-largest supplier.
The visit also underscores the importance of the Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, with more than two million Indians playing a vital role in the kingdom’s labor market. Modi is expected to meet members of the Indian community during his visit. Both he and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have previously fostered close relations with US President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit Saudi Arabia next month.
