As we celebrate India’s 60th Independence Day, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to my fellow Indians, Persons of Indian Origin and all friends of India who are residing in this holy land.
Over the years, India’s rising profile in global politics has acquired greater salience. India has emerged as an increasingly indispensable partner in dealing with various global issues, be it promoting global peace or combating international terrorism.
India’s sustained economic reform program followed by its accelerating economic growth during the last one and half decades has transformed the country from a largely self-sufficient and relatively closed economy to an equal and active partner in a rapidly globalizing world.
India itself decided to embrace globalization and economic liberalization by political consensus in order to fully integrate itself with the world economy, while at the same time safe-guarding the country’s national interests. The stable and steady economic growth in India is a reflection of the dynamism and strength of our democracy and maturity of our political framework.
The demographic profile of India, which is characterized by over 50 percent of vibrant and youthful population, adds to our economic strength by a prolific expansion of our highly qualified manpower base.
The India of the future would be characterized by a more knowledge-based and technology driven society, aiming for excellence in education and rapid growth in the different sectors of economy.
India wishes to play an active role in making the world an integrated economic community. India has pioneered the process of integration in South Asia and has also successfully reached out to the economies of Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia share considerable symmetry in the perception of regional and global economic and strategic issues and are drawn to each other by common concerns relating to religious extremism and terrorism and see each other as potential strategic partners.
The high-level interactions between the two countries in the recent times, including the landmark visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India earlier this year, and the signing of the ‘Delhi Declaration’ have given greater depth and diversity to the political and economic relations between the two countries.
As a complement to the Kingdom’s ‘Look-East Policy’, India has recently unveiled its own ‘Look- West Policy’ which envisages promotion of trade and investment and formation of strategic partnerships with the Gulf countries, which account for a bilateral trade in the range of $18-20 billion, excluding oil and gas imports by India worth nearly $20 billion.
The region also assumes significance for us as it serves as a second home to over 4 million Indian expatriates, who are contributing meaningfully to the economies of India as well as that of the Gulf countries.
The recent launching of the Indo-Saudi Medical Forum and the Indian Education Council are humble efforts on the part of the consulate to bring the Indian and the Saudi population closer and to forge better understanding between our two societies.
At the same time, I would like to congratulate our senior executives and entrepreneurs who have rendered a helping hand in improving the brand image of India through the activities of the Saudi-Indian Business Network.
The Consulate General of India, Jeddah, takes pride in rendering one of the fastest and efficient consular services to the Indian Diaspora in the Western Province. Our efforts are to reach out to our brothers and sisters in the various parts of the Kingdom. The recent introduction of consular tours to Makkah and the inclusion of representatives of community welfare section in the consular tours is part of this exercise.
The consulate is committed to remain responsive to the needs of the Indian community and render responsible services to the needy.
Jai Hind
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed
Consul General
