'More Than Diplomacy': Saudi Man Sings 'Ae Watan' On PM Modi's Arrival In Jeddah | Watch

Last Updated:April 22, 2025, 18:02 IST

Dressed in a traditional Arab garment called 'kandoora', the Saudi man sang the patriotic Bollywood number from the Meghna Gulzar directorial 'Raazi', starring Alia Bhatt

PM Narendra Modi being welcomed by members of the Indian community upon his arrival at a hotel, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 22. (Image: PMO/PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received a warm welcome as he arrived in Jeddah for his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

While greeting members of the Indian community, Modi was pleasantly surprised to hear a Saudi man’s rendition of Ae Watan. Dressed in a traditional Arab garment called ‘kandoora’, he passionately sang the patriotic Bollywood number from the Meghna Gulzar directorial Raazi (2018). The movie stars Alia Bhatt, who plays an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military officer.

Sharing the video, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the gesture means “more than diplomacy" on the Prime Minister’s arrival.

“You know it’s more than diplomacy when “Ae Watan" is sung in Jeddah as Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji arrives. It’s emotion, it’s honour, it’s Bharat commanding global admiration," he wrote in a post on X.

This is the PM’s third visit to the country and the first one to the historic coastal city of Jeddah. “Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. Eager to take part in the various programmes today and tomorrow," he posted on X along with pictures.

He and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties.

(With PTI inputs)

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