الجمهورية الهندية في عيدها الـ77: الازدهار في الداخل.. الشراكات في الخارج

On the occasion of the glorious 77th Indian Republic Day, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Indian community and friends of India in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect in a historic moment that transformed a newly independent nation into a sovereign democratic republic guided by the eternal principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. These core values continue to shape India's national journey and its interaction with the world.

Today, India stands as a nation with a population of 1.4 billion, proud of its ancient civilization and confident in its modern aspirations. It is a country that blends tradition and innovation, spirituality and science, diversity and unity, emerging as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world and a global leader in technology, digital innovation, space exploration, renewable energy, and inclusive development, with India's progress firmly anchored in the strength of its institutions.

India currently ranks fourth among the largest economies in the world, with a Gross Domestic Product exceeding $4 trillion. This exceptional economic trajectory has been made possible by the ingenuity of its people, strong macroeconomic fundamentals, ongoing structural reforms, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. While global growth has slowed, India's growth nearing 8% has positioned it as a global hub for manufacturing, innovation, startups, and digital transformation, with leading investments in infrastructure—highways, ports, airports, and logistics—reshaping the nation and enhancing its integration into global supply chains.

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AI Impact Summit

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A distinctive feature of India's transformation is its leadership in the digital economy, through initiatives in digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, and technology-driven governance. India has empowered millions, enhanced transparency, and significantly improved the ease of doing business. India's leadership in the digital economy is now moving into new areas such as artificial intelligence, and it will host the AI Impact Summit in February in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders, industry experts, and researchers to discuss the practical and societal implications of AI on people and the planet. The summit will focus on promoting responsible and inclusive AI development, highlighting its potential to drive equitable growth and address global challenges across sectors, with an emphasis on the role of the Global South.

India's progress is guided by an inspiring national vision called "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India), with the goal of transforming India into a fully developed nation by 2047, which marks the centenary of independence. The Viksit Bharat vision emphasizes inclusive growth, sustainability, innovation, youth empowerment, and human-centered development, ensuring that economic progress translates into opportunities for all without leaving anyone behind.

While striving for development at home, India is committed to deepening its partnerships abroad, with a special focus on the longstanding relations between India and Saudi Arabia, built on mutual trust and friendship, which have grown over centuries of maritime trade and people-to-people exchanges. Today, as strategic partners, India and Saudi Arabia are deepening their cooperation across multiple sectors, charting a shared path towards prosperity, progress, and peace.

Over the past year, bilateral engagement has gained renewed momentum with the historic visit of the Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to Jeddah in April, where the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council was held. An important outcome was the decision to expand the council to include two additional ministerial committees on defense; and tourism and culture, reflecting the shared ambition to elevate the partnership further.

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A Central Pillar in the Partnership

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The economic relationship remains a central pillar of the partnership. India continues to be Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, while the Kingdom is India's fifth-largest trading partner. During the fiscal year 2024-2025, the volume of bilateral trade reached approximately $42 billion. While Saudi Arabia remains pivotal to our energy security, there are also strong trade links in sectors such as food, fertilizers, chemicals, machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, jewelry, and more. Indian businesses have thrived in the Kingdom, with over 5,000 registered and active Indian companies, many of which operate in sectors such as retail, healthcare, construction, and information technology.

A high-level task force on investment, which met shortly before the Prime Minister's visit to Jeddah, produced significant outcomes, including decisions regarding two joint oil refineries in India, along with a range of measures to facilitate investment, including special privileges for Saudi sovereign entities such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF). These outcomes indicate the alignment of interests, as India's developmental trajectory closely aligns with Saudi Arabia's aspirations under Vision 2030, creating vast scope for deeper cooperation in energy transition, green hydrogen, defense manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, technology, hospitality, tourism, and more. Together, our nations can meaningfully contribute to global growth and economic stability.

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High-Level Engagement

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High-level engagement reflects mutual trust and understanding, and in 2025, Saudi Arabia hosted Indian ministers, including those for chemicals and fertilizers, mines and minerals, law and justice, culture and tourism, and minority affairs. From the Saudi side, ministers of industry and mineral resources, investment, and education visited India, highlighting the intensity and breadth of high-level exchanges, as India hosted the first visit of the Saudi-Indian Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Shura Council.

The year also marked a milestone in defense partnership, represented by the first-ever official visit to India by the Chief of General Staff of Saudi Arabia.

The large and growing Indian community in the Kingdom—now exceeding 2.7 million—has made extensive contributions to the development of the Kingdom through their hard work and dedication. The community continues to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between India and the Kingdom, and the embassy maintains close contact with the community, providing essential services and working alongside them to promote Indian culture and strengthen bilateral friendship. In this context, the embassy organized the third edition of the weekly cultural festival "Pravasi Parichay," which saw wide participation from the Indian community, representing over 20 Indian states.

Indian artists and cultural groups also shone during the Riyadh Season 2025, including through the Global Harmony initiative at Al Suwaidi Park, showcasing India's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Under the guidance of the leadership's vision in both countries, the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia has deepened significantly in recent years, with ambitious goals set for expansion and diversification across multiple sectors. However, our progress should not distract from the immense potential that still exists, and as I complete three years as India's ambassador to this beautiful country, I remain deeply grateful to the members of the Saudi community and the Indian community for their generosity, warmth, and support in enhancing and elevating India-Saudi relations to new heights. I also invite our Saudi friends to visit India and explore its rich culture, heritage, cuisine, and hospitality.

On behalf of the Government and people of India, and the Indian community in the Kingdom, I extend my best wishes to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for peace, continued progress, and prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and express sincere gratitude for the care of the Indian community in the Kingdom.

Long live India-Saudi friendship.