JEDDAH – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah today, marking his third official visit to Saudi Arabia as he seeks to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations and bolster energy and economic cooperation. Modi’s arrival in the oil-rich Gulf kingdom follows high-level talks with US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi, as India works to finalise a trade agreement with Washington and avert potential punitive tariffs.
“India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years,” Modi said in a statement issued by his office.
“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership,” he added.
Saudi Arabia remains one of India’s top energy suppliers, ranking third among its petroleum import sources, according to the Indian foreign ministry. As the world’s most populous nation and a rapidly growing economy, India relies heavily on oil imports to fuel its development.
In addition to energy, the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia—numbering over two million—continues to play a vital role in the kingdom’s labour market, contributing to infrastructure development and sending significant remittances back to India. During his two-day visit, Modi is expected to meet with members of the Indian community and engage in bilateral discussions aimed at reinforcing ties in sectors such as energy, investment, defence, and technology.
The visit also comes at a time when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Modi both maintain historically warm relations with US President Donald Trump, who has indicated plans to visit Saudi Arabia next month for what would be the first foreign trip of his second term.
As geopolitical dynamics shift, Modi’s engagement with Saudi leadership signals India’s intent to balance its global partnerships while safeguarding its economic interests and securing energy stability.