As we celebrate the 56th anniversary of India’s Republic Day, I offer my warm greetings to all our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to fellow Indians and persons of Indian origin residing in this blessed land.
India’s relations with the Kingdom go back to several centuries and both countries share a bond of common civilization. India is conscious of the economic and political pre-eminence of Saudi Arabia and its substantial influence on the Arab and the Islamic world.
The ongoing visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to India is, indeed, a historic landmark and an important milestone in the political and economic relations between the two countries. His Majesty’s visit would, undoubtedly, open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation in diverse fields such as information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, automobiles, engineering, education and tourism.
India views Saudi Arabia as a friendly, brotherly country and a dependable economic and strategic partner. Given the unique geopolitical status enjoyed by India and Saudi Arabia in the world polity, the two countries can join hands to counter international terrorism and promote world peace.
Today, India has emerged as the fourth largest trading partner of Saudi Arabia and the sixth biggest foreign investor in the Kingdom. There is a growing synergy between the two countries in the hydrocarbons sector. The Kingdom’s commitment to remain a reliable supplier of crude oil to fulfill India’s burgeoning energy requirements binds the two countries in a unique and strategic relationship.
India’s relations with the Arab world are unique, resting on a civilizational and historical foundation and characterized by people to people contacts and socio-economic exchanges spread over thousands of years. India and the Arab world have been cradles for great civilizations that facilitated free flow of ideas, knowledge, scientific thinking and intermingling of customs and traditions across geographic boundaries.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, together form the second largest trading partner of India. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh described the Gulf region as “part of our natural economic hinterland” and advocated closer economic relations with the GCC.
Ever since India gained Independence, it has made tremendous progress in several fields such as education, scientific research, health care, economic progress and strengthening of democratic processes and institutions. India has now emerged as a major regional power and a global economic giant.
Our foreign exchange reserves have shot up to $140 billion in 2005. Our GDP is growing at a healthy rate of seven percent and is likely to be doubled by 2010 and India is poised to become one of the three largest economies in the world in the next two decades.
Over the years, India has made noteworthy progress in the knowledge-driven areas of economic activities and its global recognition for successes achieved in the field of information technology is likely to be replicated in other areas like biotechnology, biogenetics and pharmaceuticals.
India does not hesitate to share its experience and knowledge gained in all these areas with others. This brings about great complementarity between the economies of India and the Arab countries.
I extend my warm wishes for the successful visit of His Majesty to India and express the hope that this visit would have a positive impact on the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries and would go a long way in bringing about a greater understanding between the peoples of our two great nations.
I also acknowledge the noteworthy contribution made by the 1.6-million strong Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia toward strengthening our bilateral ties with the Kingdom. On this important occasion, I would like to congratulate all members of the Indian community resident here for creating a very positive impression in the Kingdom by their dedication, sincerity and hard work.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah deems it a privilege to render its best possible services and assistance to the Indian community in the Kingdom at all times.
Jai Hind!
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed
Indian Consul General
Jeddah
