India and Saudi Arabia Deepen Strategic Partnership With Focus on Labour, Climate and Economic Cooperation

India and Saudi Arabia have reviewed the strong state of their bilateral relationship, with both sides discussing ways to deepen cooperation in areas including labour mobility, manpower and climate action.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, met Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, in Riyadh on Sunday. The two leaders reviewed the progress of India-Saudi relations and discussed opportunities for greater cooperation on climate-related initiatives.

Singh also held talks with Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the labour and manpower sector. The discussions assume particular importance given the large number of Indian professionals and workers employed across Saudi Arabia.

The visit reflects the growing momentum in the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership, which has expanded beyond traditional energy and trade ties into investment, technology, infrastructure, climate cooperation and people-to-people engagement.

Kirti Vardhan Singh arrived in Riyadh on his first official visit to the Kingdom and was received by Indian Ambassador Vipul and Saudi Deputy Minister for International Affairs Tariq Al Hamad.

During the visit, which continues until September 8, Singh is also scheduled to hold meetings with Saudi officials dealing with environment, water and agriculture, along with other senior dignitaries.

A major component of the visit is engagement with the Indian community. Singh is expected to interact with Indian workers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals based in Saudi Arabia, with discussions focusing on welfare, economic opportunities and stronger institutional links between the two countries.

The engagements underline the steadily broadening India-Saudi partnership and the effort by both governments to expand cooperation across strategic, economic and social sectors.