As we celebrate the 58th 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.
Significantly, this year’s Republic Day celebrations mark the First Anniversary of the historic and landmark visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India, as the chief guest during India’s last Republic Day, the first such visit by a Saudi monarch to India in 50 years.
To celebrate this momentous event, the Consulate General of India, Jeddah is currently organizing a multifaceted “India Week in Jeddah.”
The visit of King Abdullah to India has opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations. New vistas of cooperation, both in the public and private domains, are being explored.
In the last one year since his majesty’s visit, a series of high-level visits took place between the two countries both at the government and private levels.
From the Saudi side, we had the visits of Prince Saud Al Faisal, Saudi foreign minister, Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, minister of higher education, Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Manie, minister of health as well as the just concluded visits of Dr. Hashim Bin Abdullah Yamani, minister of commerce and industry and Ali Al-Naimi, minister of petroleum and mineral resources.
On the Indian side we had the visits of Arjun Singh, HRD minister, Vayalar Ravi, minister of overseas Indian affairs and E. Ahamad, minister of state for external affairs. A parliamentary delegation from India led by the speaker of the lower house is due to visit Saudi Arabia soon. Other high-level visits from India to the Kingdom are expected in the near future, which would further strengthen the close and friendly ties between the two countries.
Both the countries share considerable symmetry in the perception of regional and global economic and strategic issues and see each other as potential strategic partners. 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 strategic relationship.
Economically, both countries are keen on mutual investments in all sectors. India has now emerged as the fourth largest investor in the Kingdom. Indian investment in the Kingdom is booming and has increased from $250 million three years ago to $1.2 billion now.
There has also been a 28% increase in the bilateral nonoil trade between India and Saudi Arabia. While the value of total nonoil trade was $1.29 billion in 2001-2002, it was $3.44 billion in 2005-2006. During the same period nonoil exports from Saudi Arabia to India increased from $463.99 million to $1.63 billion, while Saudi imports from India increased from $826.43 million to $1.8 billion.
We feel that there are major opportunities for Indian companies in almost all sectors of Saudi economy, especially IT, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, construction activities and higher and technical education.
The Consulate General of India is proud to receive EN ISO 9001-2000 Certification as an endorsement of its excellent Haj management in rendering critical services to the Indian pilgrims in the administrative, medical and welfare fields. We take this opportunity to thank the various Saudi agencies for their wholehearted cooperation and support in making impeccable facilities available to the Indian Haj pilgrims that made their sojourn in the Kingdom very comfortable and spiritually rewarding.
The 1.6 million Indian community, which is the largest expatriate group in the Kingdom, has been making noteworthy and meaningful contributions to the economies of both countries. The Indian diaspora has made immense contribution toward strengthening of bilateral ties with the Kingdom by their skills, dedication and sincerity.
The Consulate General of India, Jeddah has gained recognition for rendering prompt and efficient consular services to the Indian diaspora and for reaching out to the Indian workers spread over different parts of the Kingdom. The consulate remains committed to meeting the unique needs of each individual Indian national in its jurisdiction.
Jai Hind!
(Dr. Ausaf Sayeed)
Consul General of India
