الهند والسعودية ترسمان معاً المستقبل المشترك

On the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to all Indian citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to our dear Saudi friends and partners.

August 15 holds great significance for every Indian, as on this day in 1947, India gained its independence. This day marks the end of colonial rule and the beginning of our journey as the largest democracy in the world. On this day, we remember those who fought for our freedom, and we honor the brave soldiers who continue to protect our borders, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifices for their country.

India takes pride in its rich civilizational history, diverse culture, and strong democratic values. India's approach to international relations is based on trust and partnership. India is a leading voice in the global south, having significantly contributed to the United Nations' peacekeeping efforts and played an active role in supporting sustainability and climate action.

After nearly eight decades of independence, India stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through collective action by 1.4 billion people. Economically, India is a leader in global trade, investment, and innovation, driven by a robust business environment, a dynamic demographic profile, and sustainable economic reforms.

As the fourth largest economy in the world with a GDP exceeding $4 trillion, we are on track to become the third largest economy with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030. India is also the fastest-growing major economy in the world, with real GDP growing at an average of 6.5%. India remains a preferred destination for global investments, with cumulative foreign direct investment inflows reaching $1.05 trillion as of 2024-2025. Our strategic initiatives, such as Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, revitalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and expansion of digital infrastructure, lay the foundation for a high-growth, high-opportunity economy. We have charted new pathways from space to the high seas and set our goals to make India a developed nation by 2047.

This day is also an opportunity to reflect on our close relationships with our key partners. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India's most trusted and valued strategic partners. Our relations are rooted in a rich tapestry of civilizational, cultural, and commercial ties that date back centuries. Today, the India-Saudi partnership spans a wide range of areas, including defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, healthcare, education, and culture, along with vibrant people-to-people exchanges. However, the strength of our relationship goes far beyond individual sectors. It is based on mutual trust, goodwill, and a shared understanding that our partnership represents a pillar of stability and strength in an increasingly uncertain world.

The historic official visit of the Prime Minister of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2025 was a true reflection of these growing ties. The Prime Minister of India and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had very fruitful meetings in Jeddah, resulting in key outcomes, including the agreement to establish two refineries as a joint venture between India and Saudi Arabia in India, and memoranda of understanding in the fields of health, postal cooperation, space cooperation, sports (anti-doping), and postal cooperation.

The two leaders chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council during this visit. In line with deepening the strategic partnership over the past few years, two new ministerial committees were established under the Strategic Partnership Council; one for defense cooperation and the other for tourism and cultural cooperation.

In terms of trade, our bilateral trade reached approximately $42 billion in the fiscal year 2024-2025. India is now the second-largest trading partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while the Kingdom ranks fifth for India.

Indian companies are increasingly investing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Many of them are involved in major infrastructure and energy projects under Vision 2030.

Indian IT and tech companies are contributing to the digital transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while interest is also growing in areas such as healthcare, logistics, mining, and startups. We have established strong institutional frameworks, including a ministerial committee on trade, energy, investment, and technology, and a high-level task force on investment, integrating our economic visions—Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and India's Vision 2047—creating a broad synergy for growth.

Energy remains a cornerstone of our partnership. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major and reliable supplier of oil and gas, which continues to support India's development. We are also working with the Kingdom in areas such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydrogen. The memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 covers electricity interconnection, hydrogen, and supply chains. We are exploring the idea of connecting our electrical grids, a project that falls under the broader economic corridor project between India, the Middle East, and Europe (IMEEC) announced in 2023.

We recognize that stability in the region and beyond benefits our countries and the world. To this end, defense cooperation has seen steady growth. The first joint military exercise, "Coordination Echo-1," was conducted last year, along with two naval exercises, "Indian Ocean," in 2021 and 2023. There is regular exchange of military leadership, training programs, and increasing cooperation in defense industries. On the security front, we are working closely together to combat terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and cyber threats.

There is a natural bond in culture and people-to-people relations between the two countries. Indian cinematic and television content is very popular in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and cooperation in the media and entertainment sectors is witnessing increasing growth, including co-productions. Yoga has gained popularity in the Kingdom, with strong support from the Government of Saudi Arabia. Academic exchanges have expanded. We have initiated joint research activities in historical archives. There is growing interest in cricket among Saudi citizens. An increasing number of Indian players are participating in esports tournaments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The number of tourists traveling in both directions between the two countries has steadily increased. We also welcome the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to join the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).

The vibrant Indian community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. We deeply appreciate the role of the Saudi leadership in nurturing the welfare of the 2.7 million Indians residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we congratulate the Saudi leadership on successfully organizing this year's Hajj season.

India and Saudi Arabia are not only establishing a dynamic partnership but also a bold vision for the future. Together, we stand ready to play a pivotal role in shaping peace, progress, and prosperity, not just for our peoples, but for the entire world.

On behalf of the Government and people of India and the Indian community in the Kingdom, I take this opportunity to express my best wishes to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, wishing for further progress and sustainable prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.