India‑Saudi Arabia Ties Lauded as ‘Excellent’ During High‑Profile Riyadh Visit

Riyadh – On Sunday, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, sat down with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, Adel al‑Jubeir. The two exchanged pleasantries, then moved on to a frank assessment of the “excellent” state of India‑Saudi bilateral ties.

Singh took to X – the platform formerly known as Twitter – to note that the meeting was “warm and productive”, and that climate cooperation featured prominently on the agenda. He added that the conversation reinforced the deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Riyadh.

Earlier that same day, Singh also met Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. The dialogue spanned everything from labour mobility to skills development, reflecting the growing momentum of cooperation in the manpower sector.

“Pleased to meet Minister Alrajhi and discuss ways to further strengthen our cooperation in labour and manpower,” Singh wrote, adding a thank‑you for the hospitality he received.

The visit, Singh’s first official trip to the Kingdom, began on Saturday when he was welcomed by Deputy Minister for International Affairs Tariq Al Hamad and Indian Ambassador Vipul. Singh hinted at a packed itinerary that would run through September 8, including talks with the Vice‑Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture and other senior officials.

Beyond the official meetings, Singh said he looks forward to “meaningful interactions” with the sizable Indian community in Saudi Arabia – workers, entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. The Ministry of External Affairs underscored this, noting the government’s “unwavering commitment to the welfare of Indian workers overseas”.

In short, the week’s engagements painted a picture of a partnership that is not only steady but increasingly vibrant, touching everything from climate action to labour mobility, and weaving together diplomatic, economic and people‑to‑people ties.