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Gulf

Indian Prime Minister Arrives in Jeddah for State Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed upon his arrival in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed upon his arrival in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Indian Prime Minister Arrives in Jeddah for State Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed upon his arrival in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed upon his arrival in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

He was received by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi (the accompanying minister), and other senior officials upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport.

The long-standing and strategically significant relationship between Saudi Arabia and India, spanning over 75 years, has evolved into a robust partnership across diverse sectors, including politics, economy, trade, and clean energy.

Frequent high-level exchanges have been instrumental in bolstering these ties. In February 2014, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, then Crown Prince, visited India at the invitation of former Indian Vice President M. Hamid Ansari, and met with former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

The momentum continued in April 2016 when the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received Modi in Riyadh. This visit resulted in the signing of a comprehensive cooperation agreement, cooperation programs, an executive program, and a draft memorandum of understanding between the two governments.

In September 2016, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in China, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met with Modi, discussing opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Further demonstrating the commitment to this relationship, the Crown Prince met with Modi again in November 2018 during the G20 Summit in Argentina. Their discussions centered on expanding cooperation in political, security, economic, investment, agricultural, energy, cultural, and technological domains.

A significant milestone was reached during the Crown Prince's visit to India in 2019 with the establishment of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council. Co-chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed and Modi, the council, with broad ministerial representation, aims to align Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 with India's key initiatives such as "Make in India,Smart Cities,Clean India," and "Digital India," thereby fostering collaboration across all sectors.

Building on this progress, the Crown Prince and Modi met again in June 2019 at the G20 Summit in Japan, where they reviewed the strong bilateral relations and explored avenues for further enhancement.

Continuing the tradition of high-level engagement, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received Modi in Saudi Arabia in October 2019 for bilateral talks.

In September 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed visited India at the invitation of Modi, during which they explored ways to deepen the strategic partnership and exchanged perspectives on pressing regional and international issues.

Economically, India stands as Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia is India's fifth-largest partner and its second-largest oil supplier. Bilateral trade volume reached $39.9 billion in 2024.

Saudi Arabia's attractive investment climate has drawn significant Indian investments, reaching $4 billion in 2023, a notable 39% increase from $2.39 billion in 2022.

Major Indian companies have established a strong presence in the Kingdom, and the 2023 Saudi-India Investment Forum saw the signing of 53 agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Conversely, prominent Saudi companies, including Saudi Aramco and SABIC, have undertaken projects and formed investment partnerships in India, with the total value of Saudi investments reaching $10 billion.

Energy remains a cornerstone of the strategic partnership, with both nations sharing a common vision for global oil market stability and energy security. Saudi Arabia is a committed and reliable supplier of crude oil to India.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has provided over $193.8 million in aid to India across various sectors, including education, health, food security, energy, and transportation.

Modi's visit to the Kingdom underscores Saudi Arabia's significant political and economic standing and its pivotal role on the global stage.

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Gulf

Gulf Defenses Destroy 12 Ballistic Missiles, 50 Drones as 3 Soldiers Wounded in Kuwait

Smoke rises above Dubai on March 13, 2026. (AFP)
Smoke rises above Dubai on March 13, 2026. (AFP)
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Gulf Defenses Destroy 12 Ballistic Missiles, 50 Drones as 3 Soldiers Wounded in Kuwait

Smoke rises above Dubai on March 13, 2026. (AFP)
Smoke rises above Dubai on March 13, 2026. (AFP)

Defenses in the Gulf downed on Saturday 12 ballistic missiles and 50 drones fired at civilian locations and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its third week.

Meanwhile, two drone attacks on the Ahmed Al-Jaber Base in Kuwait wounded three members of the armed forces and left material damage.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi defense destroyed 12 drones in the Eastern Region and one in each of the Empty Quarter and al-Jawf, said official Defense Ministry spokesman Turki Al-Malki.

UAE

The United Arab Emirates reported a new missile attack Sunday morning, a day after Iran called for the evacuation of three major UAE ports, threatening for the first time a neighboring country’s non-US assets.

Tehran accused the United States of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports, without providing evidence, as the war showed no signs of ending.

Earlier, UAE defenses intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones fired from Iran.

The attacks have left six people dead, including Emiratis and nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. A total of 141 injuries have been reported among citizens and residents.

The Defense Ministry stressed that the armed forces were on the highest alert level to handle any threats and firmly confront anything that may harm the country’s security, in order to protect its sovereignty, stability and national interests.

The UAE strongly condemned the unprovoked terrorist drone attack that targeted the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the second time in a week.

The attack resulted in injuries to two security personnel and damage to the consulate building.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that targeting diplomatic missions and premises constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms and laws, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic premises and the protection of diplomatic personnel. Such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability.

The UAE has called on the Iraqi government and the government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to investigate the circumstances surrounding this attack, identify those responsible, and take all necessary measures to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

The Ministry reiterated the UAE’s firm rejection of terrorist attacks aimed at undermining security and stability, emphasizing the need to protect diplomatic premises, missions, and their personnel in accordance with international laws and norms.

UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the arrest of 25 individuals of various nationalities for publishing misleading content on digital platforms that harms national defense measures and glorifies acts of military aggression against the State.

They have been referred for an expedited trial.

The move follows rigorous monitoring of digital platforms to combat the spread of fabricated information and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general stability.

Al Shamsi said that exploiting cyberspace to circulate misleading content and footage that harms public security or compromises the state’s defensive capabilities is a criminal offense. This is particularly critical given the military aggression currently faced by the state, and such behavior will be met with firm legal action.

Kuwait

Drones hit Kuwait’s international airport. The drone attack Saturday night hit the airport’s radar system, Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement.

Flights there have been halted since the start of the war.

Three members of the Kuwaiti army sustained minor injuries when two drones damaged the Ahmed Al-Jaber air base on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Kuwait’s air defense system intercepted another three drones, and two drones fell outside what the ministry called “the threat area” and posed no danger.

Early in the war, three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire during an Iranian attack. Kuwait is also where six US soldiers were killed in a drone strike on a command center.

Bahrain

Bahrain announced that it has intercepted 124 missiles and 203 drones since the start of the conflict.

Three rockets and 10 drones were downed on Saturday.

Authorities urged people to stay at home and that they should leave only when necessary. They must steer clear of damaged location or any suspicious objects. They are also prohibited from filming or photographing military operations or locations where debris and shrapnel have landed.

Qatar

Qatari’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani underscored the stability and stability of the country.

The safety of anyone residing in the country is a “red line” and a “priority in every step we take,” he added during a televised interview on Friday.

Gulf

Bahrain Arrests 6 for Sympathizing with Iran Attacks

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
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Bahrain Arrests 6 for Sympathizing with Iran Attacks

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)

Bahrain announced on Saturday the arrest of six people for posting videos related to the effects of the Iranian attacks, expressing sympathy with it and glorifying its hostile acts, as well as spreading false news and inciting the targeting of sites in the kingdom.

The videos were circulated through their social media accounts, which could mislead public opinion, spread fear among citizens and residents, and harm security and public order, said the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Cybercrime Directorate at the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The ministry urged everyone to obtain information from official sources and not to circulate or repost unverified videos or news, to avoid legal accountability and preserve the nation’s security and safety.

Gulf

Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Sultan of Oman on Death of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Sultan of Oman on Death of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, held a phone call on Saturday with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, during which he conveyed his condolences and sympathy on the passing of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said.

The Crown Prince prayed that Allah Almighty grant the deceased His mercy and forgiveness.

Sultan Haitham expressed his appreciation to the Crown Prince for his heartfelt fraternal sentiments and the solidarity conveyed in this message of condolence.