Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on April 22, following an invitation from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman. This high-profile diplomatic engagement reflects the growing importance of the India-Saudi relationship in global geopolitics and regional cooperation.

According to a statement released earlier by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Salman during the visit, with the aim of “further deepening and strengthening” the strategic partnership between the two nations. The visit comes amid increased diplomatic activity between New Delhi and Riyadh, including 11 ministerial-level visits from India to Saudi Arabia in last year.

A Strategic Partnership with Global Implications

India and Saudi Arabia have seen a transformation in bilateral ties over recent years, evolving from limited engagement into a full-spectrum strategic partnership. The relationship now spans multiple sectors, including trade, defense, energy, technology, and culture.

With both countries ranked among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, their collaboration has global ramifications. As key members of the Global South and the G20, both India and Saudi Arabia are in a strong position to influence the evolving international order. Modi and Crown Prince Salman are known to maintain cordial relationships with global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump (during his administration), Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, positioning them as critical players in today’s shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The visit comes at a time when global trade realignments—triggered by protectionist policies such as tariffs introduced during Trump's presidency—have encouraged countries to strengthen economic ties with allies and seek alternative markets.

Historic First: PM Modi to Visit Jeddah

This visit marks a historic moment as PM Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah in over 40 years. The last Indian Prime Minister to travel to the city was Indira Gandhi, who visited in 1982. Previously, Modi’s trips to Saudi Arabia were limited to the capital, Riyadh.

Jeddah, located along the Red Sea in the Hejaz region, is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city and a vital commercial center. It also serves as the gateway to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina, making it particularly significant for India's Muslim population. Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan emphasized the historical and cultural importance of Jeddah, especially as a longstanding port for pilgrims from India traveling for Umrah and Hajj.

During the visit, PM Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair a meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council in Jeddah. This council was initially formed in 2019 during the Crown Prince’s visit to India to institutionalize and guide the growing partnership.

Key Issues on the Agenda

Modi’s visit will also serve as a platform to deliberate on pressing regional and global challenges. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, discussions are expected to include the Israel-Palestine conflict, maritime security threats, particularly from Houthi rebel attacks, and broader developments in the West Asian region.

With ongoing tensions and instability in the Middle East, the India-Saudi partnership is viewed as an anchor for stability and economic resilience. Strengthening defense cooperation and expanding the current bilateral trade volume, valued at approximately USD 43 billion, are expected to be high on the agenda.

Engagement with Indian Workers and Domestic Context

During his stay in Jeddah, PM Modi will also visit a factory employing Indian workers. This visit is aimed at acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora, which numbers around 2.7 million in Saudi Arabia. He is expected to interact with the workers and highlight their integral role in fostering India-Saudi economic and people-to-people ties.

Modi's visit comes at a time when his administration is facing domestic criticism over recent amendments to the Waqf laws, which govern Muslim-owned religious and charitable properties in India. Observers see the Saudi visit as not only a key foreign policy initiative but also a potential gesture of reassurance to India's Muslim community and the broader Islamic world.