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Saudi fighter planes escorted PM Narendra Modi's plane during his visit. Modi praised Saudi Arabia as a valued partner and ally, highlighting the limitless potential of their relationship. In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane as it entered their airspace.
Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah. Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister’s 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. On Wednesday, the prime minister, who received Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour in 2016, will also visit a factory employing Indian workers.
PM Modi has hailed Saudi Arabia as one of India’s most values partners, and a trusted friend and ally, describing the current period as promising times for their ties having a “limitless potential". In an interview with Arab News, PM Modi said, “India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together – for peace, progress and prosperity, not just for our people, but for the entire world." He praised the Saudi leadership for playing a vital role in strengthening this partnership and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the invitation, which marks his thirst visit to the kingdom as prime minister.
India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during PM Modi’s visit to Jeddah, news agency PTI reported citing sources. Highly placed sources told PTI that Modi will also discuss issues relating to Hajj including the quota for Indian pilgrims during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the evening. India’s Haj quota for 2025 has risen to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014, with arrangements for 122,518 pilgrims finalised.
However, due to delays by Combined Haj Group Operators in contract agreements, approximately 42,000 Indians are unlikely to perform the sacred pilgrimage this year. (With PTI inputs).
