New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Saudi Arabia next week which would be his first trip to the country in his third term. Before this, Modi travelled there in 2016 and 2019. Modi would meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.
In the visit on April 22-23, PM will discuss key issues with the government, including trade and investments, energy cooperation, reviving the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) and defence partnership, as reported by the Indian Express.
PM’s visit comes in the backdrop of the expected visit of US President Donald Trump in mid-May which will mark his first foreign trip after he assumed office for the second time.
The visit also comes at a time when the US is engaging Iran for nuclear program talks and Israel’s reported success in diminishing Hamas and Hezbollah in the region.
The situation in West Asia is critical, marked by the Houthis efforts to disrupt Red Sea shipping. India has been collaborating with Saudi Arabia and other partners to achieve stability.
Ever since October 7, 2023 when the Israel-Hamas war started, the turmoil has negatively influenced the ambitious IMEEC. India is looking forward to taking the IMEEC project ahead, which would connect India with Europe via the Middle East.
India wants to swiftly engage with prominent partner Saudi Arabia in the effort, building on the momentum from recent diplomatic engagements with the UAE, Israel, and Italy.
