Saudi Arabia, India Discuss Bolstering Bilateral Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia, India Discuss Bolstering Bilateral Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Tuesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talks on regional developments and efforts exerted towards achieving security and stability.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations between their countries and means to develop them in various fields. They exchanged views on issues of common interest.

They later chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.

Modi had arrived in the Kingdom on an official visit earlier on Tuesday at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed. This is his second visit to Saudi Arabia in nine years following trips in 2016 and 2019.

“India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade,” Modi said in a statement ahead of departing for the Kingdom.

“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defense, trade, investment, energy and people to people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability,” he added.

“I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and build upon the highly successful State visit of my brother Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023,” he continued.

“I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties,” he stressed.

“This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia,” Modi said in a post on the X platform upon arriving in the Kingdom.



Trump Visits Al Udeid, Says Qatar Will Invest $10 Billion in Air Base

President Trump speaks on stage during a tour of the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar (Getty) 
President Trump speaks on stage during a tour of the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar (Getty) 
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Trump Visits Al Udeid, Says Qatar Will Invest $10 Billion in Air Base

President Trump speaks on stage during a tour of the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar (Getty) 
President Trump speaks on stage during a tour of the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar (Getty) 

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Qatar will invest $10 billion in the coming years in the Al Udeid Air Base southwest of Doha, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.

Speaking at a meeting with business leaders in Qatar, Trump said his trip through the Gulf region could generate $4 trillion.

“This is a record tour. There’s never been a tour that will raise—it could be a total of $3.5, $4 trillion. Just in this four or five days,” he said.

He described his visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Emirates as a historic trip.

Later during a visit to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Thursday, where he spoke to American troops, Trump said, “We almost lost the Middle East because of the policies of the Joe Biden administration. But we’re going to protect the Middle East.”

On the nuclear file, Trump revealed that the United States is “very close to making a deal with Iran,” stating that Tehran has “somewhat agreed to the terms” of a long-term agreement. He added, “We want to deal with the Iran problem in a smart way — but not violently.”

On the situation in Yemen, Trump said the US is prepared to return to military operations against the Houthis if provoked.

“We’re dealing with the Houthis, and I think that’s been very successful. But maybe an attack will be launched tomorrow — in which case, we’ll go back to the offensive,” he said.

Trump then praised US troops stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha.
“You are the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. We have the strongest military in the world,” he said.

Trump also touted plans for advanced US warplanes — including the Boeing F-47 announced in March as an update on the F-22 and named in honor of both the incumbent 47th president and the founding year of the Air Force.

“We’re going to do an F-55 and I think if we get the right price, we have to get the right price, and that’ll be two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35,” Trump said.

The US President also commented on his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.

“I didn’t know Syria had been under sanctions for this long,” Trump said.