• Source:JND
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Saudi Arabia from April 22 to 23, following an invitation from His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced. In a special press briefing on Saturday from the national capital, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the upcoming visit will be the Prime Minister's third visit in this capacity to Saudi Arabia.

"The Prime Minister will be paying a visit to Saudi Arabia next week on the 22nd and 23rd of April 2025. This is a visit at the invitation of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...The upcoming visit will be the Prime Minister's third visit in this capacity to Saudi Arabia...," said Misri.

The Foreign Secretary called the visit "important" amid the fact Saudi Arabia hosts a very large Indian expatriate community, possibly the second-largest expatriate community of its kind anywhere in the world. Besides, Saudi Arabia is a leading voice in the Islamic world and is increasingly playing an important role in regional developments.

PM Modi to interact with Indian workers at Saudi factory during visit

Misri said that Prime Minister will visit a factory employing Indian workers and will interact with them during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Speaking to media, the Foreign Secretary also noted that the visit would see the conclusion of several MOUs between the two sides. "Some of these are in the final stage of approvals and brushing up, and we will have more details to release about these during the course of the visit. I also mentioned in my earlier remarks the importance of the People to People relationship between the two countries. As I said, nearly 2.7 million Indians live and work in the kingdom. The Indian community comprises the second largest group of Indians living abroad", he said.

"The visit provides an opportunity to build on the already strong relations with this strategic partner. The Prime Minister and the Crown Prince share a very close personal relationship with a lot of warmth and respect for each other, and the bilateral relationship has gained a lot from strategic guidance at the topmost level...," said Misri.

Waqf act row unlikey to be discussed: MEA

The foreign secretary clarified it is unlikely that the two leaders will discuss the Waqf act during the bilateral meeting. Notably, the act has been the centre of a spat between the government and the opposition. The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre to file its stand within a week in the challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 after it was assured by the union government that 'waqf by user' or 'waqf by deed' properties won't be denotified till the next hearing.

Russia-Ukraine war

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Misri said it is going to be a significant area of discussion. He noted that the Prime Minister had articulated India's position about the need for dialogue to address and resolve this issue. However, Misri said he could not prejudge what the nature of the discussions would be, but added this would be a significant subject of discussion between the two leaders. 

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