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India's Modi in Saudi Arabia to bolster ties

Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz receives India's PM Narendra Modi in Jeddah. — Reuters
 
Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz receives India's PM Narendra Modi in Jeddah. — Reuters
JEDDAH: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Tuesday for his third visit as premier to the Gulf kingdom. The trip comes a day after Modi held high-level talks with US Vice-President JD Vance in India, with New Delhi looking to seal a trade deal with Washington and stave off punishing tariffs.

'India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years,' said Modi in a statement released by his office. 'Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership.'

Pictures posted on Modi's X account showed the premier being greeted by several Saudi officials after touching down in Jeddah in the afternoon. Saudi Arabia has been a key supplier of oil to India, the world's most populous country, for years. During the two-day visit, Modi is scheduled to meet members of the Indian community. Both Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fostered close relations with US President Donald Trump during his first term in office. — AFP