Our partnership has limitless potential: PM Modi ahead of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, April 22: Ahead of his two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the strength and "limitless potential" of the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, describing their bond as a "pillar of stability in a world full of uncertainties," as per the Arab News.

PM Modi will depart for Saudi Arabia today at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This will be PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019.

In an interview with Arab News, PM Modi said, "Our partnership has limitless potential. In a world full of uncertainties, our bond stands strong, as a pillar of stability."

Praising Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman's leadership, PM Modi called him "a strong advocate of our bilateral ties" and a visionary who has inspired global admiration through the reforms under Vision 2030.

"Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable," he said, Arab News reported.

Responding to a question about Saudi Arabia being India's fifth-largest trading partner, PM Modi highlighted the economic relationship as "old as the monsoon winds" between the two countries.

"Our economic ties are as old as the monsoon winds. Given the proximity of our nations and the complementarity of our economies, there is a natural connect. That is why even during global challenges, our trade ties have not just survived, but they have grown. While sectors like energy, agriculture and fertilisers are the main areas of our trade, efforts at diversification have borne fruits. Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections," PM Modi told Arab News.

He added, "Building stronger connect between our businesses and industry and enhancing investment partnership is adding resilience to this relationship. Saudi Arabia is a leading energy partner for India. Likewise, India is contributing to food security in Saudi Arabia. I am told people in Saudi Arabia prefer Indian rice! India too loves Saudi dates. I also see several complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India's Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047 initiative)."

PM Modi further underscored the growth in bilateral investments between India and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the vast opportunities for collaboration across emerging sectors.

With Indian companies actively contributing to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, PM Modi emphasised the shared commitment to deepen economic ties through initiatives like a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a proposed Free Trade Agreement with the GCC.

"Bilateral investments between our countries have also been increasing. Today, the Indian growth story offers immense opportunities for Saudi majors to invest and partner, from space economy to global supply chain collaborations. Indian companies have also maintained a strong presence across various sectors in Saudi Arabia. They are playing a crucial role in the realisation of Saudi Vision 2030. Our goal is to enhance this connect. India and Saudi Arabia are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty. The proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and GCC has immense potential to transform the economic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, and the region in general," PM Modi said.

Reader Comments

P

Priya K.

This is such an important partnership for both nations! The economic and cultural ties between India and Saudi Arabia have so much potential. Love the mention of Indian rice and Saudi dates - food diplomacy at its best! 🇮🇳🤝🇸🇦

R

Rahul S.

While I appreciate the positive tone, I hope concrete actions follow these words. The FTA with GCC has been in talks for years - would be great to see actual progress on that front. Still, promising to see the mutual recognition of economic opportunities.

A

Aisha M.

As someone who's lived in both countries, this makes me so happy! The cultural exchange between India and Saudi has grown so much in recent years. More flights, more business opportunities, and more people-to-people connections. 💕

V

Vikram J.

The space economy collaboration angle is fascinating! With ISRO's achievements and Saudi's Vision 2030 investments in tech, this could be a game-changer. Hope to see joint space missions in the future.

S

Sameer A.

"As old as the monsoon winds" - what a beautiful way to describe the relationship! The historical trade routes between our regions truly form the foundation for modern economic cooperation. More power to this partnership!

N

Neha P.

I work at an Indian IT company with Saudi clients. The business environment has improved so much in recent years. Hope this visit leads to even smoother collaboration processes and more job opportunities in both directions!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.