PM attends delegation level talks with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman at Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia on April 22, 2025.
Joint Statement at the conclusion of the State Visit of Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH – At the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,the Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, concluded a significant State Visit to the Kingdom today, April 22, 2025, marking his third visit to the nation.
The visit builds upon the momentum generated by the historic State Visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to India in September 2023 for the G-20 Summit, where he also co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.
Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, where they engaged in official talks. The leaders reaffirmed the deep-rooted friendship and strong people-to-people connections characterized by mutual trust and goodwill between India and Saudi Arabia. They acknowledged the significant strengthening of the bilateral relationship under the strategic partnership, encompassing diverse sectors such as defense, security, energy, trade, investment, technology, agriculture, culture, health, education, and people-to-people ties. Discussions also covered pressing regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Modi extended his congratulations to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Saudi Arabia’s successful bids to host the World Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
The two leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), reviewing the substantial progress achieved since their last meeting in September 2023. They expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the two existing Ministerial Committees on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation, and Economy and Investment, along with their respective subcommittees and joint working groups. Recognizing the deepening strategic partnership, the Council was expanded to include two new Ministerial Committees on Defense Cooperation, and Tourism and Cultural Cooperation. The leaders noted with appreciation the numerous high-level visits across various Ministries, which have fostered greater trust and mutual understanding. At the conclusion of the meeting, both leaders signed the Minutes of the Second Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.
The Indian delegation conveyed its gratitude to the Kingdom for the continued well-being of approximately 2.7 million Indian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the strong interpersonal bonds between the two nations. India also commended Saudi Arabia for the successful organization of the Haj pilgrimage in 2024 and expressed appreciation for the seamless coordination in facilitating Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims.
Both sides lauded the increasing economic engagement, trade, and investment between India and Saudi Arabia in recent years. India acknowledged the progress made by Saudi Arabia under its Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia, in turn, recognized India’s consistent economic growth and its ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 (“Viksit Bharat”). Both nations committed to collaborating in areas of mutual interest to achieve their respective national goals and shared prosperity.
The leaders noted the positive momentum generated by the High-Level Task Force (HLTF), established in 2024 to boost investment flows. Building on Saudi Arabia’s commitment to invest in diverse sectors in India, including energy, petrochemicals, infrastructure, technology, fintech, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and health, the HLTF reached understandings in several key areas to expedite these investments. Notably, they acknowledged the agreement within the HLTF to collaborate on the establishment of two refineries. Progress in areas such as taxation was also identified as a significant step forward for future cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finalize negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty at the earliest. India welcomed the launch of the India Desk at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as a central point for investment facilitation. The work of HLTF underscores the growing economic partnership focused on mutual economic growth and collaborative investments.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening direct and indirect investment partnerships, commending the outcomes of the Saudi-India Investment Forum held in New Delhi in September 2023. They also acknowledged the increasing investment activities of Indian companies in the Kingdom and the crucial role of the private sector in enhancing mutual investments. The activation of the Framework of Cooperation on Enhancing Bilateral Investment between Invest India and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia was valued. Both sides agreed to facilitate greater bilateral cooperation in the startup ecosystem to foster mutual growth and innovation.
In the energy sector, India agreed to collaborate with the Kingdom to enhance the stability of global oil markets and balance global energy market dynamics, emphasizing the need for secure energy supplies. Enhanced cooperation was agreed upon in areas including crude oil and LPG supply, collaboration in India’s Strategic Reserve Program, joint refining and petrochemical projects, innovative uses of hydrocarbons, electricity, and renewable energy. This includes completing the joint study for electrical interconnection, exchanging expertise in grid technologies, and enhancing the participation of companies in their respective projects.
Both sides highlighted the importance of cooperation in green/clean hydrogen, including stimulating demand, developing transport and storage technologies, and exchanging best practices. They also recognized the need to develop energy sector supply chains and projects, facilitate cooperation between companies, enhance energy efficiency, and raise awareness about rational energy consumption.
Regarding climate change, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, emphasizing emissions-focused climate agreements. India commended Saudi Arabia’s “Saudi Green Initiative” and “Middle East Green Initiative.” They stressed joint cooperation in the circular carbon economy as a tool for emissions management and climate goals. Saudi Arabia appreciated India’s global climate action initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, One Sun-One World-One Grid, Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) and Global Green Credit Initiative.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in bilateral trade, with India being Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner and Saudi Arabia being India’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2023-2024. They agreed to further enhance and diversify bilateral trade through increased business and trade delegation visits and trade and investment events. They reiterated their desire to commence negotiations on the India-GCC FTA.
The deepening defense ties were recognized as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, welcoming the establishment of a Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation. The growth of joint defense cooperation, including the first-ever Land Forces exercise “SADA TANSEEQ”, two rounds of Naval Exercises “AL MOHED AL HINDI”, high-level visits, and training exchanges, was noted with satisfaction. They welcomed the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation in Riyadh in September 2024, including the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services, and agreed to enhance defense industry collaboration.
Acknowledging ongoing security cooperation, both sides emphasized its importance for regional security and stability. They highlighted the need for further cooperation in cybersecurity, maritime border security, combating transnational crime, and narcotics and drug trafficking.
Both sides strongly condemned the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives. They unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, emphasizing that it remains a grave threat to humanity with no justification. They rejected any attempts to link terrorism to any race, religion, or culture. They lauded the excellent cooperation in counterterrorism and terror financing, condemned cross-border terrorism, and called on all States to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and swiftly bring perpetrators to justice. They stressed the need to prevent access to weapons, including missiles and drones, for terrorist acts.
Ongoing cooperation in health and efforts to combat current and future health risks were noted. The signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health was welcomed. India congratulated Saudi Arabia for successfully hosting the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah in November 2024. India welcomed the Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s initiatives on reference pricing and fast-track registration of Indian drugs. The extension of the MoU on Co-operation in the Field of Medical Products Regulation between SFDA and CDSCO for another five years was also welcomed.
Both sides underscored the importance of cooperation in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and semi-conductors. Recognizing the significance of digital governance, they agreed to explore collaboration in this area. The signing of the MoU between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in regulatory and digital sectors was noted with satisfaction.
The MoU on space cooperation signed during the visit is expected to enhance collaboration in space exploration, including the utilization of launch vehicles, spacecraft, ground systems, space technology applications, research and development, academic engagement, and entrepreneurship.
The growing cultural cooperation through engagement in heritage, film, literature, and performing and visual arts was acknowledged. The establishment of the Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the SPC marks a significant step in deepening this partnership.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism, including capacity building and sustainable tourism, and noted the expanding opportunities in media, entertainment, and sports, supported by strong people-to-people ties.
The long-standing cooperation in agriculture and food security, including fertilizer trade, was appreciated. They agreed to pursue long-term agreements for supply security, mutual investments, and joint projects to build strategic cooperation in this area.
The increasing educational and scientific collaboration was commended for its strategic importance in fostering innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development. Saudi Arabia welcomed the potential presence of leading Indian universities in the Kingdom. Both sides emphasized the value of expanding cooperation in labor and human resources.
Recalling the signing of the MoU on the Principles of an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor in September 2023, both sides reiterated their commitment to realizing the vision of connectivity, including infrastructure development for railways and port linkages, boosting trade, enhancing data connectivity, and electrical grid interconnectivity. They welcomed the progress under the MoU on Electrical Interconnections, Clean/Green Hydrogen and Supply Chains signed in October 2023 and noted the increase in shipping lines between the two countries with satisfaction.
Both sides stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation and coordination in international organizations and forums, including the G20, IMF, and World Bank, to address global economic challenges. They commended their existing cooperation within the Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the DSSI.
The two sides affirmed their full support for international and regional efforts towards a comprehensive political solution in Yemen. India appreciated Saudi Arabia’s initiatives for dialogue among Yemeni parties and its role in humanitarian aid. Saudi Arabia also appreciated India’s humanitarian assistance to Yemen. Both sides agreed on the importance of cooperation to ensure the security and safety of waterways and freedom of navigation in line with UNCLOS.
The following MoUs were signed during the visit:
- MoU between the Department of Space, India, and the Saudi Space Agency in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes.
- MoU between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Republic of India, and the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Cooperation in the Field of Health.
- Bilateral Agreement between the Department of Posts, India, and the Saudi Post Corporation (SPL) for inward foreign surface parcels.
- MoU between the National Anti-Doping Agency of India (NADA), India, and the Saudi Arabia Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) for cooperation in the field of anti-doping and prevention.
Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council at a mutually agreed date, underscoring their commitment to continued communication, coordination, and cooperation across various sectors as their nations progress in economic and social development.
At the conclusion of his visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed his sincere gratitude to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation, conveying his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Saudi Arabia. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud reciprocated his sincere wishes for the further progress and prosperity of Prime Minister Modi and the people of India.
