Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (April 22) on a two-day visit on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during Modi’s visit to Jeddah.
PM 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.
The two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology.
In his departure statement, Modi said both countries have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership, including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people-to-people ties.
“We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability,” the prime minister said.
“Jeddah is a very, very significant city in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah was the port for the trade between the two countries, and it is also a gateway to Mecca. So anyone who is coming for Umrah and Hajj lands up in Jeddah and then goes to Mecca,” Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan told a news agency.
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“Hajj is a very important activity and the Government of India gives it a lot of importance. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has been arranging this activity. There are various issues discussed in the bilateral talks. There has always been a great coordination between the Saudi government and India on Hajj,” the ambassador said.
