India and Saudi Arabia to Sign Key Agreements During Modi’s Jeddah Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jeddah on Tuesday will see India and Saudi Arabia formalize at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs), with negotiations continuing late Monday to secure additional pacts.

According to well-placed sources, Modi’s discussions with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud will cover critical topics, including the allocation of Hajj quotas for Indian pilgrims. The agreements expected to be signed will span cooperation in space, energy, health, scientific research, culture, and advanced technology.

Riyadh extended into late Monday to finalize details, with more than a dozen MoUs under consideration, some to be signed at the official level. Efforts were also intensified in the 24 hours leading up to Modi’s arrival to conclude further deals in trade, investment, and defense.

Modi’s visit, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks the first trip by an Indian prime minister to Jeddah in four decades. “Jeddah holds immense significance for India-Saudi relations due to its historical role as a trade port and its position as the gateway to Mecca for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims,” said Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Khan emphasized the importance of Hajj, noting the strong coordination between India and Saudi Arabia on the pilgrimage. India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs oversees the arrangements, with the 2025 Hajj quota increased to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014. However, delays in contract agreements by Combined Haj Group Operators mean around 42,000 Indian pilgrims may miss the opportunity to participate this year.

The leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during Modi’s 2019 visit to bolster bilateral ties. On Wednesday, Modi, who was awarded Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor in 2016, will visit a factory employing Indian workers, further highlighting the strong people-to-people connections between the two nations.