PM Modi’s Saudi trip | Nations to ink 6 pacts, PM to discuss Hajj quota with Crown Prince
The Hindu
India and Saudi Arabia to sign MoUs during PM Modi's visit to Jeddah, focusing on various sectors.
India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jeddah, with talks ongoing late Monday to finalise a few more agreements, according to sources.
Highly placed sources told PTI that Mr. Modi will also discuss issues relating to Hajj, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the evening.
Among the deliverables, the two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology.
"Meetings in Riyadh continued late Monday to finalise details, with over a dozen MoUs under discussion, some to be signed at the official level," an official told PTI.
Sources added that efforts were underway 24 hours before Mr. Modi's arrival to conclude additional trade, investment, and defence agreements.
Mr. Modi will arrive on Tuesday afternoon at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah.
"Jeddah is a very, very significant city in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah was the port for the trade between the two countries, and it is also a gateway to Mecca. So anyone who is coming for Umrah and Hajj lands up in Jeddah and then goes to Mecca," Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan told PTI ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.
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