NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go to Saudi Arabia for the third time on Tuesday for a two-day visit, In an effort to strengthen strategic ties, especially in the energy sector.
During the visit, Modi will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.
The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks and co-chair the second meeting of the Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council, according to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
“This visit holds importance given Saudi Arabia’s role as a strategic partner and its growing influence in regional affairs,” Misri said during a press briefing on Saturday.
Modi previously visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and again in 2019, when the Strategic Partnership Council was established during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to India.
The upcoming talks are expected to build on these foundations.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $43 billion in 2023–24, with Saudi Arabia ranking as India’s third-largest source of crude oil, LPG, and petroleum imports, valued at $25.7 billion. India is the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner.
Misri noted that both countries are working to add a “more strategic dimension” to their energy ties, with expected developments during Modi’s visit.
The trip follows the crown prince’s 2023 visit to India for the G20 summit, which was followed by a state visit where the two nations signed around 50 initial agreements and announced a joint task force for a potential $100 billion Saudi investment in India.
Experts say the visit is timely amid regional tensions and uncertainty in international politics.
“This is a very important visit as Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most vital partners in the Gulf and Middle East,” said Dr. Muddassir Qamar of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
He added that defense, energy, food security, and investment cooperation will be key discussion points, alongside the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Agreement.
Both countries are pursuing ambitious national development agendas Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 offering opportunities for collaboration across energy, logistics, and infrastructure.
“Modi’s visit marks a pivotal moment in deepening the India-Saudi strategic partnership,” said Mohammed Soliman, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
“It strengthens economic ties, ensures energy security, and elevates India’s geopolitical influence in West Asia.”
