{"id":287305,"date":"2025-04-22T04:20:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T04:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/22\/modi-departs-for-key-jeddah-visit-says-india-values-historic-relations-with-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T04:20:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T04:20:04","slug":"modi-departs-for-key-jeddah-visit-says-india-values-historic-relations-with-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/22\/modi-departs-for-key-jeddah-visit-says-india-values-historic-relations-with-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Modi departs for key Jeddah visit; says India values ‘historic relations’ with Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia<\/a>, where he will attend high-level meetings, co-chair the Strategic Partnership Council<\/a> with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman<\/a>, and interact with the Indian diaspora in Jeddah.<\/p>\n

Calling the trip an important step in bolstering bilateral ties, PM Modi said India \u201cdeeply values\u201d its long-standing and historic relationship with Saudi Arabia \u2014 one that has \u201cacquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is Modi\u2019s first visit to the historic port city of Jeddah and his third to the kingdom in the last decade. <\/p>\n

In a post on X, he said he was \u201cleaving for Jeddah\u201d to participate in key discussions and community events, noting that bilateral ties have \u201cgained significant momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2014 narendramodi (@narendramodi) <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Live Events<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The visit is expected to build on the progress made during Crown Prince Salman\u2019s 2023 visit to India. <\/p>\n

Modi said he looked forward to \u201cparticipating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council,\u201d a platform established to institutionalise deeper cooperation between the two nations across sectors like energy, defence, trade, and technology.<\/p>\n

Modi also emphasised the importance of people-to-people ties, calling the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia<\/a> a \u201cliving bridge between our nations.\u201d He said he was eager to engage with the Indian community, which continues to play a vital role in strengthening cultural and human connections.<\/p>\n

Energy security, refinery investments on the table
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One of the key focus areas of Prime Minister Modi\u2019s visit is expected to be energy security \u2014 an area where India and Saudi Arabia already share a robust partnership. <\/p>\n

Riyadh, a top-three crude oil supplier to India, is reportedly exploring options to increase oil shipments to New Delhi amid shifting global market dynamics and a slowdown in China.<\/p>\n

According to diplomatic and energy sources, Saudi Arabia may consider offering India oil at concessional rates in a bid to expand its market share. With demand from Beijing tapering off and oil prices down nearly 20% in 2025, Saudi suppliers are turning their attention toward India\u2019s still-strong crude consumption.<\/p>\n

Energy experts say Saudi oil giant Aramco \u2014 India\u2019s second-largest crude source \u2014 is eyeing new investment opportunities in India\u2019s expanding refinery sector. <\/p>\n

This includes potential stakes in BPCL<\/a> and ONGC-led projects, as well as broader participation in at least three refinery developments across eastern and western India.<\/p>\n

Major pacts to be sealed; New Delhi eyes bigger Hajj quote <\/h2>\n

Further, Prime Minister Modi will co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The forum, set up during Modi\u2019s 2019 visit, aims to deepen cooperation across key sectors.<\/p>\n

This trip marks the first time an Indian prime minister is visiting the port city of Jeddah in over four decades \u2014 a development that reflects the evolving importance of the India-Saudi relationship.<\/p>\n

At least six key agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, spanning areas such as space cooperation, energy, health, scientific research, culture, and advanced technology. Sources indicate that several more MoUs are under negotiation and could be signed at the official level even if not during the prime minister\u2019s direct presence.<\/p>\n

Apart from strategic and economic matters, the prime minister is also expected to raise issues concerning Indian pilgrims, especially Hajj arrangements. India\u2019s Hajj quota for 2025 stands at 175,025 \u2014 a significant jump from 136,020 in 2014. However, about 42,000 Indian pilgrims may miss the journey this year due to delays in formalities by private Hajj operators.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister’s visit will also include a stop at a factory in Jeddah that employs a large number of Indian workers, highlighting the importance of the Indian diaspora as a bridge between the two nations.<\/p>\n

(With inputs from agencies)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n