On the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Saudi Arabia, I have the great pleasure in extending sincere felicitations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the friendly people of Saudi Arabia, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the Indian community resident here.

This year, the National Day of Saudi Arabia coincides with Haj pilgrimage for which more than 2 million pilgrims have come from all over the world including over 136,000 Indian pilgrims.

I wish all the Haj pilgrims a successful and accepted pilgrimage.

I also extend my congratulations to the government of Saudi Arabia for making wonderful arrangements, ensuring comfort, ease and safety of the pilgrims in discharging their rituals.

On behalf of the Government and people of India, President Pranab Mukherjee has also extended warm greetings and felicitations to King Salman and the friendly people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the National Day of Saudi Arabia.

The President has also conveyed his best wishes for the good health and happiness of King Salman as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is part of India’s extended neighborhood.

Our geographical proximity, shared interests in the stability and security of the region and complementarity of interests in diverse fields make India and Saudi Arabia natural partners. India deeply values its close and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia, which are anchored in shared interests and extensive people-to-people contacts.

Our multi-faceted strategic ties have witnessed steady progress in all spheres of our bilateral engagement. This mutually beneficial relationship has been further reinforced by regular high-level political exchanges and our growing trade linkages. I remain confident

that our cooperation will continue to further strengthen in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.

I, once again, congratulate Saudi Arabia and its friendly people on their National Day.

Hemant Kotalwar,

charge d’affaires,

Embassy of India, Riyadh