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New Delhi Confirms Strategic Partnership with Riyadh

Indian Assistant Foreign Minister Muktesh Pardeshi (Asharq Al-Awsat/PHOTO CREDIT:Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani)
Indian Assistant Foreign Minister Muktesh Pardeshi (Asharq Al-Awsat/PHOTO CREDIT:Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani)
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New Delhi Confirms Strategic Partnership with Riyadh

Indian Assistant Foreign Minister Muktesh Pardeshi (Asharq Al-Awsat/PHOTO CREDIT:Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani)
Indian Assistant Foreign Minister Muktesh Pardeshi (Asharq Al-Awsat/PHOTO CREDIT:Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani)

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.

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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.