PM Modi's Saudi visit to focus on 3 main sectors. Details here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia next week, a much-anticipated trip in the wake of the geopolitical instability plaguing the Middle East. The visit will see India sign multiple MoUs with the Kingdom in the fields of energy, defence and trade.

Here are some points to note ahead of his visit:

1) MoUs are expected in crucial areas which will expedite Riyadh's USD 100-billion investment plan for India. 

2) Besides focusing on the overall bilateral relations between the countries, they will also exchange views on pressing regional and global issues, including the overall situation in the Middle East.

3) Of the multiple MoUs to be signed, one centres on green hydrogen, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. "There will be an effort to infuse a "strategic" dimension to the India-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation," he said.

4) During his visit to India, the Crown Prince announced his plan to invest USD 100 billion in the energy sector and certain other sectors and a high-level task force was formed. "There are certain issues that they had raised and we have worked very constructively on those issues. The High-Level Task Force on Investment (HLTFI) was set up in October 2023 and it had its first meeting last year and since then, it had several meetings," Misri said.

5) The ambitious India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEEC) will be an important topic that could figure in the talks between Modi and Salman. 

6) Geopolitical situation, including the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as the situation in Ukraine are also expected to figure in the talks.

7) Regarding defence, the countries could put in a framework for more military exercises and high-level engagements and the discussions could centre on that. "We are attempting to give more substance to the partnership. The opening of defence procurement is one major area," he said.

Middle East