Jeddah (TDI): In his first visit of the third term to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi landed in Jeddah on Tuesday. As Prime Minister, this marks his third trip to the country; with the last two visits undertaken in 2019 and 2016.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman received PM Modi at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah and after detailed talks, both leaders co-chaired the 2nd Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
The SPC framework was launched in 2019 and seeks to comprehensively cover bilateral relations in political, defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, agriculture, culture and people-to-people ties.
#Jeddah | HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi co-chair the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council. pic.twitter.com/YXYaG8qFt7
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) April 22, 2025
In the 2nd SPC meeting, both countries have agreed to add two new committees, taking the total number of committees to four.
Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation and Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation are the new additions to the already existing Political, Consular and Security Cooperation Committee and Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology Committee.
In addition, three MoUs were also signed alongside an agreement between the Saudi Post Corporation (SPL) and the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications of India on Cooperation in Inward Surface Parcel.
The MoUs include space cooperation, health sector cooperation, and cooperation in the field of anti-doping education and prevention.
Reports suggest that Modi cut short his visit and returned to India on Tuesday evening due to an attack on tourists in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which has claimed twenty six lives.
Ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia, PM Modi, in an interview with Arab News called the Middle Eastern country “a trusted friend and strategic ally.”
Speaking about the leadership of the Saudi Crown Prince, Modi said, “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.”
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
