Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday on his third visit as prime minister.
The trip comes a day after Modi held high-level talks with US Vice President J.D. Vance in India, during which New Delhi sought to strike a trade deal with Washington and avoid tougher tariffs.
“India deeply values its long-standing and historic ties with Saudi Arabia, which have gained strategic depth and momentum in recent years,” Modi said in a statement released by his office.
“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and fruitful partnership.”
Saudi Arabia has for years been a key supplier of oil to India, the world’s most populous country.
India’s fast-growing economy is heavily dependent on oil imports, and Saudi Arabia is India’s third-largest oil supplier, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The Gulf kingdom is also home to more than two million Indian nationals who have long played a key role in the labour market, helping with many of the country’s mega projects and sending home billions of dollars in remittances every year.
According to his office, Modi plans to meet members of the Indian community during his two-day visit.
Modi congratulated Saudi Arabia on winning the bids to host the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, calling the successes a matter of “immense pride.” He also pointed to growing defence co-operation and large-scale joint military exercises as signs of building strategic trust.
Referring to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched during the G20 summit in September 2023, Modi said the project will be a “key catalyst for trade, connectivity and growth across the region.”
