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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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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its categorical rejection of the Israeli forces’ ongoing attacks against civilians and humanitarian and relief agencies.

It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards these violations against the Palestinian people.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers were briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

They reviewed the talks held by senior Saudi officials with their counterparts from different countries, at bilateral and multilateral levels, with the aim of strengthening ties, intensifying efforts to open up new horizons in various fields and achieve aspired goals, and bolstering efforts exerted to tackle global challenges.

The cabinet tackled the outcome of the second meeting of the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee, and the efforts to strengthen cultural, tourism, and economic partnerships between AlUla and Paris, in view of the special relations between their countries and commitment to developing ties in all sectors.

The cabinet commended the outcome of the second meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation, established under the Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council, which underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation on issues of common interest, particularly those related to economic development and international security and peace.

It reviewed the latest regional and international developments, focusing on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The cabinet reiterated its concern over extremist Israeli statements about imposing sovereignty over the West Bank, and the construction and expansion of settlements.

These actions undermine peace efforts, threaten regional security and stability, and are a blatant violation of international laws and relevant UN resolutions, it warned.

Domestically, the cabinet hailed the support lent by King Salman to the current Riyadh Economic Forum, saying that the recommendations of the 11th session of the forum can be expected to give further impetus to the national economy and bolster the private sector's role in the Kingdom's comprehensive development.

The cabinet recognized the success of the "Cityscape Global 2024" exhibition held in Riyadh, which aligns with national goals and offers promising prospects to the real estate sector. The value of the transactions concluded at the exhibition surpassed SAR230 billion, with sales from local and international developers exceeding SAR20 billion. The exhibition attracted over 172,000 visitors, underscoring the success of the Kingdom's efforts to position itself as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences.

Moreover, the cabinet praised the outcomes of the "Jeddah Declaration", issued during the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, commending the initiatives and mechanisms that bolster the global commitment to a multifaceted approach in tackling global health challenges and seeking solutions through research, development, and innovation.

The cabinet said the Fourth Edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, set for December 3-4, will be geared toward expediting efforts aimed at fostering a more sustainable future. The initiative has had concrete positive impacts on climate and environmental initiatives, helping boost the total capacity of renewable energy sources to over four gigawatts, planting about 95 million trees, and translocating 1,660 endangered animals across the Kingdom.