Narendra Modi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Narendra Modi made an official visit to Saudi Arabia in 2016, becoming the fourth Indian Prime Minister to do so. The visit built on earlier diplomatic milestones, including King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia's special visit to India in January 2006—the first by a Saudi monarch in 51 years—which resulted in the 'Delhi Declaration' strategic energy partnership. During that 2006 visit, King Abdullah and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed on a 'reliable, stable and increased volume of crude oil supplies to India through long-term contracts.' Modi's 2016 visit occurred against a backdrop of growing bilateral trade, which reached USD 27.5 billion in 2018 and USD 41.88 billion in the financial year 2024–25. The two countries share similar views on combating terrorism, and Saudi Arabia has expanded collaboration with India to fight Islamic terrorism in the Middle East.

Reader's Guide

Under Modi's leadership, India's relationship with Saudi Arabia has seen both cooperation and points of tension. In October 2021, India voted against a Dutch resolution in the UN Human Rights Council that proposed extending the mandate of human rights investigators in Yemen—a resolution heavily lobbied against by Saudi Arabia. In May 2023, Saudi Arabia partially boycotted a G20 tourism meeting held by India in Kashmir, ultimately participating with downgraded representation by sending only Embassy officials. In September 2023, the Saudi Foreign Minister expressed the Kingdom's desire to mediate in the Kashmir conflict. However, in April 2024, Saudi Arabia issued a statement calling for the Kashmir conflict to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan, aligning with India's position on the issue. Saudi Arabia has also supported granting observer status to India in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Did You Know?

• Narendra Modi was the fourth Indian Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia, following Jawaharlal Nehru (1955), Indira Gandhi (1982), and Manmohan Singh (2010).
• During Modi's tenure, India voted against a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Yemen in October 2021, a position heavily lobbied for by Saudi Arabia.
• In May 2023, Saudi Arabia partially boycotted a G20 tourism meeting held by India in Kashmir, sending only Embassy officials.
• In April 2024, Saudi Arabia aligned with India's position by calling for the Kashmir conflict to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.
• Under Modi's government, Saudi Arabia increased India's Hajj quota in 2019, making India the second-highest country in number of pilgrims at 200,000 per year.