Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), launched in 2023, will define the future of connectivity in all forms for centuries to come and will become the key catalyst of commerce, connectivity and growth in the entire region.
“It can be the new Silk Route of the 21st century that will bring benefit to the generations to come,” Modi said in an interview with Arab News ahead of his third visit to Saudi Arabia since 2016.
The PM is traveling on Tuesday to the Kingdom, where he will hold talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on commercial and investment relations in addition to the energy sector.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbor, a trusted friend and a strategic ally,” Modi said, emphasizing how bilateral relations had expanded significantly since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.
The PM said India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together — for peace, progress and prosperity, “not just for our people, but for the entire world.”
“We consider Saudi Arabia as a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region,” Modi affirmed.
The PM said he sees several complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047 initiative).
Modi said trade between the two countries had grown even amid global challenges, with energy, agriculture and fertilizers as key sectors, noting that the two countries are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
He stressed that Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections, which is boosting the investment partnership, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and fertilizers.
Energy has been an important pillar of Saudi Arabia and India’s economic partnership, Modi continued.
Both countries are exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals and can work toward innovative solutions for future energy needs, he added.
According to the Prime Minister, Indian companies have maintained a strong presence across various sectors in Saudi Arabia and are playing a crucial role in the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.
At the same time, he invited Saudi companies to take advantage of the remarkable opportunities in India as part of the Viksit Bharat journey, by participating in the growth of India’s next-generation infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, utilities, innovation, start-ups and “blue economy” sectors.
At the security level, Modi said India and Saudi Arabia have seen steady progress in security cooperation.
“This includes areas such as counterterrorism, combating extremism, disrupting terror financing and tackling drug trafficking. We are also exploring new frontiers of cooperation in cybersecurity, recognizing its growing importance in today’s interconnected world,” he said.
Concerning bilateral relations between the leaderships of both countries, Modi praised Crown Prince Mohammed’s leadership, calling him “a strong advocate of our bilateral ties.
“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.
At the cultural level, Modi said growing cultural connect between Saudi Arabia and India is indicative of the understanding and appreciation for each other.
“The 2.7 million vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. I commend them for not only preserving their values and traditions, but also promoting them,” he remarked.
As far as religious tourism is concerned, Modi said India has a large Muslim population that visits the Kingdom each year for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage. “We are grateful to the Saudi leadership for the continued assistance provided to Indian pilgrims,” he stressed.
