In a ceremonious welcome, PM Modi was greeted with a 21-gun salute upon arrival. As his plane entered Saudi airspace, it was escorted by F15 fighter jets in a special gesture of respect and camaraderie. At the airport, the Prime Minister interacted warmly with Saudi officials and dignitaries.

A heartwarming cultural moment took place when Saudi singer Hashim Abbas passionately performed the Indian patriotic song ‘Ae Watan’ in PM Modi’s honor. “When I started singing, my friends told me that one day I would sing in front of PM Modi. I didn’t believe them… I love India. It is a great country led by the great leader, PM Narendra Modi,” Abbas told PTI.

Adding to the celebratory spirit, hundreds of members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia gathered to welcome the Prime Minister. They greeted him with chants of “Modi, Modi” and showcased traditional cultural performances. Sharing photos from the event on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said the visit would “strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia.”

The Prime Minister is set to co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in key sectors including defence, trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people ties.

Before departing from India, PM Modi emphasized the importance of India’s evolving relationship with Saudi Arabia. “India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years,” he said. “We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability.”

In an interview with Arab News ahead of the visit, PM Modi described Saudi Arabia as “one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend and a strategic ally.”

This high-profile visit follows King Salman’s attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, during which he co-chaired the first meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. Officials from both countries hope this visit will further solidify bilateral ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.

Their discussion, held just hours after Gabbard’s meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, centered on India-U.S. security cooperation and concerns over anti-India activities by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operating on American soil.

Strengthening India-U.S. Security Cooperation

Taking to social media, PM Modi expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, emphasizing the shared commitment of both nations to counter-terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity.

“Glad to welcome @TulsiGabbard to India. Exchanged views on further advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Both countries are committed to combating terrorism and enhancing maritime and cybersecurity cooperation,” PM Modi posted on X.

Gabbard’s Visit and Strategic Discussions

Gabbard arrived in Delhi early Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day visit as part of a multinational tour. Her itinerary has included high-level talks with Indian officials on intelligence collaboration, defense relations, and cybersecurity.

Her visit follows PM Modi’s trip to Washington in February, where he met with Gabbard and recognized her as a strong advocate for India-U.S. relations.

As part of her engagements, Gabbard participated in key security discussions with intelligence and defense officials from 20 countries at a conclave chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The event, organized by the National Security Council Secretariat, has been held alongside the Raisina Dialogue since 2022, fostering global cooperation on security challenges.

A Strengthening Alliance

This marks Gabbard’s second international visit since assuming office, following her participation in the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Her visit to India underscores the deepening India-U.S. partnership, particularly in counter-terrorism, defense collaboration, and strategic security interests.

With President Trump’s second term underway, both nations are poised to strengthen their cooperation further, reinforcing their shared vision for global stability and security.