India, a key strategic partner for Saudi Arabia from the Middle East, witnessed a significant state visit by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This visit, occurring from September 9-11, 2023, came as a response to the invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G20 Summit. It marked an important milestone in the deepening relationship between the two nations. And here are some of the highlights of the trip of Saudi Prince in India.
Reviewing Bilateral Ties Between Saudi & India
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and I had very productive talks. We reviewed our trade ties and are confident that the commercial linkages between our nations will grow even further in the times to come. The scope for cooperation in grid… pic.twitter.com/UalSTDmrTY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2023
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to India marked his second State visit to the country. MBS’s state visit to India followed his participation in the G20 Summit over the weekend. The primary purpose was to review and strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation across various domains. It included energy and security.
Key Meetings:
- On September 11, 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had pivotal meetings with Indian leaders.
- His visit commenced with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reflecting the warm welcome extended by the Indian government.
- He met with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, highlighting the significance of the visit.
- Subsequently, a crucial bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi took place at Hyderabad House.
During this meeting, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Modi signed the minutes of the first meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. The discussions encompassed a wide range of topics. From bilateral cooperation to global issues of mutual interest, everything was discussed. The Saudi Crown Prince led a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials, highlighting the seriousness of the visit.
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Historic Connectivity Initiative
Attended the ceremonial welcome in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. India looks forward to deepening ties with Saudi Arabia across a wide range of sectors. pic.twitter.com/JRe9uuYcYH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2023
One of the most noteworthy outcomes of this visit was the announcement of a historic agreement between Saudi Arabia and the European Union. This agreement seeks to launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor. This initiative represents a pioneering effort in connectivity and infrastructure cooperation involving India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the EU, as well as France, Italy, Germany, and the United States. It holds immense promise for enhancing regional and global trade.
In conclusion, the state visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the significance of the India-Saudi strategic partnership. It further cemented their commitment to fostering stability and progress in the region and beyond.
Cover Image Courtesy: Twitter/ Narendra Modi