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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Meets with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Co-Chairs the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council Jeddah, 23 April 2025: During his official State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 22 April 2025, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, was received with ceremonial honours at the Royal Palace in Jeddah by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom. The two leaders held substantive bilateral discussions and jointly presided over the second session of the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). His Royal Highness extended his heartfelt condolences and unequivocally condemned the recent heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Both leaders reaffirmed their steadfast resolve to combat terrorism in all its manifestations, and underscored the urgent need for concerted global efforts to counter extremist violence. Prime Minister Modi and His Royal Highness undertook a comprehensive review of the progress registered under the Strategic Partnership Council since its inaugural session in New Delhi in September 2023. They expressed deep satisfaction at the increasing depth and breadth of bilateral engagement, and acknowledged the positive momentum fostered by a series of high-level exchanges between ministries and institutions of both nations. Discussions spanned a wide spectrum of areas including energy security, defence cooperation, trade and investment, advanced technology, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister expressed his sincere appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their continued support and welfare provisions for the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, as well as for the facilitation extended to Indian Haj pilgrims. The leaders welcomed the tangible progress achieved by the High-Level Task Force on Investment and reiterated their commitment to the shared vision of Saudi investments amounting to USD 100 billion in India. These investments encompass strategic sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, infrastructure, digital innovation, financial technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and healthcare. Of particular note was the mutual agreement to collaborate on the development of two oil refineries in India, along with the advancement of discussions on matters of taxation. In a bid to further enhance economic integration, Prime Minister Modi proposed initiatives for the interlinking of national payment gateways and the facilitation of trade settlement in local currencies — a step aimed at strengthening financial cooperation and resilience. The leaders also reviewed developments concerning the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), highlighting the growing convergence of interests in enhancing connectivity and logistics frameworks. Broader discussions encompassed regional stability and global strategic trends, underscoring the shared vision of both nations in addressing pressing international challenges. Their Excellencies expressed their appreciation for the achievements of the Ministerial Committees established under the SPC, which focus on political, security, social, cultural, economic, and investment cooperation. In recognition of the evolving scope of the bilateral partnership, the leaders announced the formation of two additional ministerial committees: one dedicated to Defence Cooperation, reflecting the growing significance of security collaboration; and the other to Tourism and Cultural Cooperation, acknowledging the flourishing cultural engagement between the two countries. Following the deliberations, the minutes of the second Strategic Partnership Council meeting were formally signed by the two leaders. On this occasion, both sides also concluded four bilateral Memoranda of Understanding in the areas of space exploration, public health, anti-doping in sport, and postal collaboration, further enhancing the institutional framework of cooperation. Prime Minister Modi extended a gracious invitation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman to undertake an official visit to India for the third session of the Strategic Partnership Council. The visit reaffirmed the enduring and multifaceted nature of the India–Saudi Arabia relationship, which continues to be anchored in mutual respect, strategic convergence, and a shared aspiration for regional peace and prosperity. |
