India stresses Saudi Arabia's importance in maintaining peace in the region

Indian Foreign Ministry said Prince Faisal bin Farhan's Wednesday visit will provide 'further impetus' to the ties between the nations

Prince Faisal arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a two-day visit. Photo: @DrSJaishankar / X

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar praised Saudi Arabia’s role in maintaining stability in West Asia during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Prince Faisal arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a two-day visit. He was welcomed at the military airport by senior officials from the Indian Foreign Ministry and Saudi Arabian diplomats.

“Saudi Arabia, we recognise, is an important force for stability in the region. The situation in West Asia is a matter of deep concern, particularly the conflict in Gaza,” Mr Jaishankar said after the meeting, adding that “India’s position in this regard has been principled and consistent.”

“While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the international humanitarian law. We support an early ceasefire,” he said.

Prince Faisal also attended the second meeting of the political, security, social, and cultural committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The meeting discussed an agreement to increase co-operation in the political, consular, defence, military, judicial, security, social and cultural fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Faisal said co-ordination between India and Saudi Arabia would continue on matters of shared concern, particularly “international peace”, state radio broadcaster All India Radio reported.

The two leaders discussed ties between the two nations, including economic, defence, and cultural co-operation. They also discussed working together to counter terrorism, combating extremism, restricting terror financing and drug trafficking, AIR reported.

India and Saudi Arabia have historically shared close and friendly relations with about 2.4 million Indians living in the kingdom. India also has a robust trade partnership with Saudi Arabia, which was its fifth-largest partner this year.

Trade between the countries reached a record $42.9 billion in the last financial year, with India importing primarily crude oil – Saudi Arabia supplies 14 per cent of India's crude oil imports – and petrochemicals while exporting engineering goods, textiles, and food products. Both countries also have a strong energy partnership, according to the Indian Foreign Ministry.

“I am glad to note that our businesses are collaborating intensively. Trade and investment are important pillars of our partnership, and we are strengthening our collaboration in new areas including technology, energy, renewable energy including green hydrogen, connectivity, health and education,” Mr Jaishankar said.

The relationship between the two nations has strengthened under India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, with top officials from the two countries frequently visiting each other.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman visited India on a state visit last year. Mr Modi has made two visits to the kingdom during his 10 years in office.