Celebrating the India-Saudi Arabia partnership

On the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, I extend my warm greetings to all Indian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia and to our esteemed friends in the Kingdom. Republic Day is a moment to reaffirm our faith in the Constitution of India and to reflect on the democratic values and resilience that continue to guide India’s progress.

India today stands confident and forward-looking, making steady strides in economic growth, innovation, digital transformation and sustainable development. As we advance toward the vision of India@2047 (Viksit Bharat), India remains committed to inclusive growth and to being a constructive global partner.

The India-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership continues to deepen, supported by strong political engagement and expanding cooperation across sectors. A significant milestone in this journey was the April 2025 visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jeddah, which further elevated the partnership and reaffirmed our shared commitment to long-term collaboration.

At the regional level, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has actively worked to translate this strategic partnership into tangible outcomes. Commercial engagement has been a key focus, with initiatives such as the large-scale Indian Gems and Jewellery Exhibition (SAJEX), Investment Connect programs, buyer-seller meets and facilitation of trade and investment delegations in both directions. These efforts aim to identify complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), creating mutually beneficial economic opportunities and win-win partnerships.

Port calls of the Indian naval ships INS Surat and INS Tamal were also witnessed in the vibrant city of Jeddah, symbolizing friendship, cooperation and growing trust between our two nations.

Cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties continue to be vibrant pillars of engagement.

Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri

Cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties continue to be vibrant pillars of engagement. India’s participation in the Red Sea Film Festival, the celebration of the India Festival across provinces and initiatives such as Noor-e-Diwali, Organic Iftar and other community-led cultural events have fostered deeper cultural understanding and showcased India’s rich diversity. The enthusiastic participation of the Indian community in these initiatives has been particularly heartening.

The welfare of Indian nationals remains a core priority. We extend our sincere gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the government and the people of Saudi Arabia for their care and warm hospitality extended to the Indian nationals living in the Kingdom.

We also sincerely appreciate the excellent cooperation of Saudi authorities in facilitating Hajj and Umrah, enabling Indian pilgrims to undertake their sacred journey in safety and dignity. The announcement of India’s 2026 Hajj quota of 175,025 pilgrims during the visit by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in November was a significant development. Preparations for Hajj 2026 are already underway and we remain committed to working closely with our Saudi counterparts to further enhance pilgrim safety, comfort and experience.

I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Indian community in the Kingdom, whose professionalism, dedication and law-abiding conduct continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Saudi Arabia.

As we celebrate Republic Day, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, prosperity and an ever-stronger India-Saudi Arabia partnership.

Happy Republic Day. Long live the India-Saudi Arabia friendship.

• Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri is Consul General of India in Jeddah.