PM Modi Receives Grand Welcome in Jeddah as He Begins Two-Day Saudi Arabia Visit
- Posted on April 22, 2025
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 95 Views
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, receiving a 21-gun salute and fighter jet escort. He will co-chair the Strategic Partnership Council with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing energy, defense, and pilgrim-related issues, while promoting deeper India-Saudi economic and strategic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, marking his third trip to the kingdom in the past decade and his first to the city of Jeddah. In a grand gesture of respect, the Saudi Royal Air Force escorted his aircraft upon entering the country's airspace, followed by a ceremonial 21-gun salute on landing.
PM Modi’s visit, at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, includes the co-chairing of the 2nd Leaders’ Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The high-level talks are expected to deepen cooperation across energy, defense, and infrastructure, with particular attention to joint refinery projects and electric grid connectivity.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Modi emphasized the growing strategic and economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, noting the kingdom's role as one of India's top petroleum suppliers. In an interview with Arab News, he expressed enthusiasm for Saudi investments in Indian defense manufacturing, a sector recently opened up to private participation.
PM Modi is also expected to discuss matters related to the Hajj pilgrimage and increased quotas for Indian pilgrims. The Indian diaspora in Jeddah, anticipating the Prime Minister's arrival, gathered in large numbers and organized traditional performances in his honor.
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During his 2016 visit, Modi was awarded the “King Abdulaziz Sash,” Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, underscoring the depth of bilateral relations. As geopolitical alignments shift, both nations appear eager to expand collaboration and solidify their roles as key partners in a dynamic global landscape.
