Connect with us
In focus Magazine March 2025 advertise

Viral

Saudi Fighter Jets Escort PM Modi’s Plane to Jeddah in a Grand Diplomatic Gesture

Published

on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rare and symbolic welcome as he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, April 22. As his special aircraft entered Saudi airspace en route to Jeddah, it was escorted by fighter jets from the Royal Saudi Air Force, a gesture reserved for distinguished guests and an indication of the deepening strategic trust between the two nations. A video shared by the Ministry of External Affairs captured the F-15 jets flying in formation beside the Prime Minister’s aircraft, drawing admiration across diplomatic circles and social media platforms alike.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X to highlight the moment, calling it a sign of “friendship flying high.” This visit is Modi’s third to Saudi Arabia as Prime Minister and notably marks the first time in over four decades that an Indian Prime Minister has visited the port city of Jeddah, a hub of Indo-Saudi trade and pilgrimage ties.

Bilateral Ties Reach New Heights: Strategic Talks Take Center Stage

Prime Minister Modi’s visit follows an official invitation from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Together, the two leaders are co-chairing the second meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, a high-level forum designed to advance cooperation across key areas of mutual interest. Launched in 2019, this council has grown into a central platform for diplomatic, economic, and security dialogue between the two countries.

At the heart of the discussions are ambitions to elevate defence collaboration, expand energy partnerships, and deepen bilateral trade and investment. Connectivity initiatives, including maritime corridors and infrastructure development, are also on the agenda. Prime Minister Modi emphasized in his departure statement that India places high value on its ties with Saudi Arabia, a relationship he described as one that has evolved with “strategic depth and momentum” over recent years. He reaffirmed India’s intention to continue strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors that align with both nations’ developmental goals.

Hajj, People-to-People Ties, and Cultural Diplomacy in Focus

Alongside trade and security matters, the visit carries special significance for India’s large diaspora and religious links to the Kingdom. With over two million Indian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia, the two countries share an enduring social and cultural bond. Jeddah, in particular, holds deep historical relevance as the port of entry for generations of Indian pilgrims journeying to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah.

Officials have confirmed that Hajj coordination, including potential increases to India’s pilgrimage quota and improved logistical arrangements, will be discussed during Modi’s meeting with the Crown Prince. Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan highlighted the centrality of Jeddah in the spiritual and logistical context, noting that every pilgrim from India traditionally lands in the city before continuing on to Mecca. He emphasized that Hajj remains a key component of Indo-Saudi cooperation, reflecting both religious importance and diplomatic coordination.

India-Saudi Relations: A Future-Oriented Strategic Alliance

In a candid interview with Arab News ahead of his arrival, Prime Minister Modi described Saudi Arabia as one of India’s most valued partners and a maritime neighbour with whom it shares a natural interest in safeguarding regional peace and stability. He praised the Saudi leadership for playing a vital role in advancing shared global objectives, adding that the bilateral relationship is anchored in trust, respect, and a shared strategic vision.

The Prime Minister underlined how defence and security collaboration, including intelligence sharing, military exchanges, and joint training, reflects the growing mutual trust between the two countries. He also pointed to Saudi Arabia’s increasing investments in India’s renewable energy sector and digital economy as clear indicators of a partnership that is forward-looking and rooted in sustainable development.

As India continues to expand its presence on the global stage, this visit signals a reaffirmation of its strong and evolving relationship with Saudi Arabia, one defined not only by trade and diplomacy but also by cultural ties, religious respect, and a commitment to regional and global stability.