Defence and economic ties will be key areas of focus for PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia on April 22-23. India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project is also on the agenda.
Modi will be received in Jeddah by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. The two leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.
Briefing reporters here on Saturday Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed to recent defence exercises and staff-level talks between the armed forces of the two countries as evidence of a deepening defence relationship.
“Our cooperation has also expanded on the defence industry front and India is gaining space as an important supplier of defence stores to Saudi Arabia. A special agreement on the export of munitions to the Kingdom worth about $225 million was signed last year,” Misri told the press.
"The visit is also likely to see the conclusion of several MoUs between the two sides - some of these are in the final stage of approvals and brushing up, and we will have more details to release during the course of the visit," Misri added.
Key strategic issues such as attacks on shipping by Houthi militias based in Yemen, ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict are also likely to feature in talks, US-Russia talks hosted by Saudi Arabia and regional developments are also on the agenda.
Energy ties will also be discussed, with the two countries enjoying a robust $25.7 billion energy trade in 2023-24. Misri informed that the energy partnership will be further bolstered during PM Modi’s visit to the Kingdom.
Modi is also expected to visit a factory employing Indian workers in Saudi Arabia. The country is home to roughly 2.7 million Indians.
Modi will be received in Jeddah by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. The two leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.
Briefing reporters here on Saturday Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed to recent defence exercises and staff-level talks between the armed forces of the two countries as evidence of a deepening defence relationship.
“Our cooperation has also expanded on the defence industry front and India is gaining space as an important supplier of defence stores to Saudi Arabia. A special agreement on the export of munitions to the Kingdom worth about $225 million was signed last year,” Misri told the press.
"The visit is also likely to see the conclusion of several MoUs between the two sides - some of these are in the final stage of approvals and brushing up, and we will have more details to release during the course of the visit," Misri added.
Key strategic issues such as attacks on shipping by Houthi militias based in Yemen, ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict are also likely to feature in talks, US-Russia talks hosted by Saudi Arabia and regional developments are also on the agenda.
Energy ties will also be discussed, with the two countries enjoying a robust $25.7 billion energy trade in 2023-24. Misri informed that the energy partnership will be further bolstered during PM Modi’s visit to the Kingdom.
Modi is also expected to visit a factory employing Indian workers in Saudi Arabia. The country is home to roughly 2.7 million Indians.
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