'Will Strengthen Friendship...': PM Modi Arrives In Saudi Arabia, Receives 21-Gun Salute | Watch

Last Updated:April 22, 2025, 17:14 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a two-day visit, and he was welcomed with a 21-gun salute.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with Saudi officials after arriving in Jeddah. (MEA)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a two-day visit to the Arab country at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He is expected to meet senior officials and co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council.

The Prime Minister was welcomed with a 21-gun salute as he disembarked from the plane and interacted with Saudi officials at the airport. In a special gesture, Saudi Arabia’s F15 aircraft escorted PM Modi’s plane as it entered the country’s airspace.

A Saudi Arabian singer passionately sang ‘Ae Watan’ to welcome PM Modi in Jeddah. “When I started singing, my friends told me that one day I would sing in front of PM Modi. I didn’t believe them… I love India. It is a great country led by the great leader, PM Narendra Modi," singer Hashim Abbas told news agency PTI.

PM Modi also received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ and cultural performances. Taking to X, PM Modi shared some pictures of the visit and said the visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia.

Prior to his departure, PM Modi said, “India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years."

“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability," he added.

This marks his third visit to the Middle East country, following previous trips to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019. “I take great pride in our relations with Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend and a strategic ally," said PM Modi in an exclusive interview with Arab News ahead of his visit.

During PM Modi’s Jeddah visit, he will meet Prince Salman and official talks will be held “to further deepen and strengthen" ties between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement last week.

PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia comes after King Salman visited New Delhi in September 2023 during the G20 Summit and co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

Saudi Arabia

News world 'Will Strengthen Friendship...': PM Modi Arrives In Saudi Arabia, Receives 21-Gun Salute | Watch