Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], April 22 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, will chair the meeting of Strategic Partnership Council during his visit to Jeddah.

Speaking with ANI, the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia informed that a 'large' number of MoUs will be signed, and the economic, defence partnership, and political relations between both countries will also be discussed during the PM's 'hugely significant' visit from April 22 to April 23.

'There is a strategic partnership council between India and Saudi Arabia. So, both the leaders, the Honourable Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Crown Prince, are going to chair the Strategic Partnership Council meeting. A large number of MoUs are being finalised and will be signed in exchange during the visit, and a host of other issues on economic partnership, defence partnership on our way, all these things will be discussed. It's a hugely significant visit,' Khan told ANI.

Speaking about India's defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan noted that the partnership between both countries is 'very strong' while mentioning various naval and land exercises and assured that the partnership will get 'impetus'

Our defence and security partnership is very strong, and we have a bilateral defence cooperation MoU of 2014, and under this various activities are taking place and as you know, in the last few years we all organised the naval exercises, we organised the land forces exercises, and we are looking at another edition of the naval exercises shortly. Definitely, the defence cooperation will be a part of the agenda, and I expect that our defence partnership will certainly get impetus during this visit.' Khan told ANI.

The Indian Ambassador further highlighted the significance of the PM's visit to Jeddah, noting that this will be the first time the PM Modi will be visiting the city. 'His previous two visits have been to Riyadh, so it would be his first visit to Jeddah, and Jeddah is a very special place,' Khan said.

'The significance of the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah has been the port for our pilgrims who come for Umra and Hajj to come to Saudi Arabia,' he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Saudi Arabia from April 22 to 23 at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This will be PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special press briefing on Saturday that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks.

Misri also said that India and Saudi Arabia are likely to deepen their defence cooperation and expand their economic ties. Currently, bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at around USD 43 billion.

PM Modi's visit is being seen as a significant step in strengthening India's ties not just with Saudi Arabia, but with the entire Gulf and Islamic world.

Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla noted that under PM Modi's leadership, the India-Saudi relationship has seen a major transformation, helped by the Prime Minister's strong personal bond with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The visit comes after the Crown Prince visited New Delhi in September 2023. He was in India for the G20 Summit and also co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. (ANI)