New Delhi Confirms Strategic Partnership with Riyadh

Indian Assistant Foreign Minister Muktesh Pardeshi reiterated India’s strong alliance with Saudi Arabia, highlighting that over 175,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims are visiting the Kingdom this year.
He stressed India’s deployment of 12 warships in the Red Sea to combat piracy and expressed concern over Houthi threats to maritime navigation.
Successful Talks
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Pardeshi revealed that he discussed his Riyadh visit goals and meetings with Saudi officials.
He highlighted talks with the Deputy Hajj Minister, Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat, focusing on logistical arrangements for a smooth Hajj experience for Indian pilgrims.
Pardeshi noted that 175,025 Indian pilgrims will undertake the journey this year. Discussions also covered the welfare and integration of the 2.4 million-strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Partnerships
In his meetings, Pardeshi discussed with Dr. Saud Al-Sati, Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, ways to enhance diplomatic ties and cooperation on common interests. They also explored economic collaboration.
With Dr. Raad Al Barakati, President and CEO of the Saudi Center for International Strategic Partnerships, they looked into investment opportunities in infrastructure and technology transfer.
He also talked about energy cooperation with Dr. Nasser Al-Qahtani and Mohammed Ibrahim, Assistant Ministers for Electricity and Petroleum and Gas, respectively.
Additionally, he discussed strengthening Indo-Gulf relations with Dr. Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg, Assistant Secretary-General for Gulf Cooperation Council Affairs, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, security, and cultural exchange.
Saudi-Indian Ties
Pardeshi noted that since gaining independence, Saudi-Indian relations have grown into a comprehensive partnership covering various areas like culture, defense, trade, and technology.
He mentioned the visits of Indian Prime Ministers to Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to India in 2019, which led to the establishment of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.
Pardeshi also highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to India in 2023 for the G20 Summit, describing it as significant for signing agreements across different sectors.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, presents numerous opportunities for expanding cooperation, including in renewable energy, healthcare, tourism, and technology, aligning with India's own initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India.’
Pardeshi added that the unveiling of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) project during the Saudi Crown Prince’s visit was a significant moment.
The IMEEC project will open up opportunities in communication, logistics, energy, and data, boosting economic partnerships, explained Pardeshi.
He reiterated India’s commitment to keeping up the momentum and finalizing initial agreements in these areas.
Trade and Economy
The Indian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that India is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia ranks as India’s fourth-largest. He revealed that trade between the two amounted to about $52.75 billion (2022-2023), with Indian exports to Saudi Arabia hitting $11.56 billion between 2023 and 2024.
Pardeshi mentioned that Saudi Arabia is crucial for India’s energy security, being its third-largest crude oil supplier during 2022-2023.
The focus has been on renewable energy, with agreements signed last year covering grid connectivity, joint projects, and clean energy production.
The energy sector has helped diversify trade, with Indian exports doubling over five years, including food, textiles, automotive, and machinery, with joint projects and innovation exchanges.
Investment Relations
Indian companies have invested in various sectors in Saudi Arabia, such as management, construction, telecommunications, IT, finance, and pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, India has welcomed investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and its state-owned and private companies.
India has a thriving startup scene, and they plan to deepen collaboration with Saudi Arabia in this area through a startup bridge, revealed Pardeshi.
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor agreement enhances communication, transportation, and logistics, changing the game across three continents, he noted.

The Saudi government underlined on Tuesday its determination to expand its investments and trade relations with the United States in the next four years.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia will dedicate over $600 billion, including mutual deals and investments worth over $300 billion, in investments as announced last week during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh.

The cabinet hailed the Saudi-US summit that was held during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom last week. Saudi Arabia was his first official overseas trip since his reelection.

The ministers also praised the signing of the strategic economic partnership agreement between Saudi Arabia and the US and the various deals that were announced during the trip.

At the start of the cabinet meeting, King Salman expressed his gratitude to Trump for accepting his invitation to visit the Kingdom. He lauded the talks that were held between Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with Trump, and their outcomes, which included elevating bilateral ties to an unprecedented historic level in vital fields.

The cabinet highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed’s speech at the Gulf-US summit that was held during Trump’s visit. The speech focused on intensifying joint coordination and pursuing multilateral work with friendly and fraternal countries to achieve more progress and prosperity.

He also underscored support for all efforts that would help end regional and international conflicts through peaceful means.

Moreover, the cabinet praised Trump’s decision – at the Crown Prince’s encouragement – to lift sanctions off Syria. It hoped the move will support development and reconstruction efforts in the war-torn country.

The cabinet also highlighted the Kingdom’s speech at the 34th Arab League Summit that was held in Baghdad on Saturday. The speech reiterated the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

New Delhi Confirms Strategic Partnership with Riyadh