India and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their strategic partnership with new agreements and investment commitments following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit. During the second leaders’ meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council in Jeddah, the two leaders discussed cooperation across political affairs, defense, trade, investment, technology, energy, and cultural exchanges. They formalized their decisions through signed official minutes.
Recognizing the deepening defense partnership, which has expanded through joint exercises, training programs, and defense industry collaboration, the leaders established a new Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation. Additionally, acknowledging the growing momentum in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, they created a Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation.
The High-Level Task Force on Investment reaffirmed commitments from Saudi Arabia, which plans to invest USD 100 billion in India across sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, infrastructure, technology, fintech, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and healthcare. The task force reached an understanding to collaborate on establishing two refineries in India. Progress in taxation-related matters is expected to facilitate future investment flows.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, enhancing cooperation in multiple domains. The Saudi Space Agency and India’s Department of Space formalized collaboration on space activities for peaceful purposes. The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia and India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare agreed to cooperate in the healthcare sector. The Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee and India’s National Anti-Doping Agency established an agreement on anti-doping education and prevention. Additionally, Saudi Post Corporation and India’s Department of Posts agreed to collaborate on inward surface parcel services.
These agreements reflect the strategic depth of India-Saudi Arabia relations and reinforce bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defense, technology, and cultural exchanges. With growing economic commitments and strengthened institutional frameworks, the partnership is set to expand significantly in the coming years.
