Riyadh: The strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia has reached a “very positive height” under the vibrant leaderships of both countries, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Monday while addressing a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Riyadh.
Speaking at a special program organized by the All India Steering Committee under the auspices of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh at the Indian International School auditorium on 7 September 2026, the Minister underlined that India has remained a vital ally of the Kingdom “since time immemorial.” He said the relationship continues to deepen through sustained mutual cooperation and partnership at the highest levels of leadership.
Singh noted that nearly 2.7 million Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia are making sincere and hard contributions to the development of both nations while supporting their families back home. “These contributions have made the Government of India truly proud,” he said.
During his interactions with several Saudi leaders and officials, the Minister received highly positive feedback about the role and performance of the Indian community, he stated.
He emphasized that New Delhi is making every effort to elevate the strategic partnership through diplomatic, cultural and economic engagement, especially at a time when the Kingdom is undergoing rapid transformation. “We never feel our Indian community, wherever they are across the globe, alienated from the connection of our doings-whether in economy, culture, technology, IT, digitalization or any other sphere,” Singh stated.
The Minister said he felt privileged to meet the vibrant Indian workforce employed across different sectors in the Kingdom. Their commendable efforts, he observed, are contributing to the growth of both the Indian and Saudi economies.
Highlighting the strong performance of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh remarked that the country has firmly established itself as a vital and vibrant force on the global political stage. He pointed out that India’s rise is visible at every level -from a small village constituency like Gonda in Uttar Pradesh to major international forums.
The government, he said, has consistently worked to expand economic opportunities, strengthen national growth and enhance India’s global standing through proactive diplomacy and people-centric policies.
Singh particularly underlined the government’s track record of standing by its citizens during times of crisis. He recalled the extensive measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic to safeguard the health, livelihood and welfare of people both within India and abroad. He also highlighted the successful efforts made to bring back or assist Indians stranded in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Iran, Israel and other countries.
“At every stage of difficulty and predicament, our government has never neglected the people. Their welfare and safety have always remained our foremost priority,” the Minister affirmed.
The government’s focus on digitalization, technology and IT, he added, has further strengthened the connect with the diaspora, ensuring that Indians living overseas remain closely linked to national progress and opportunities back home. These initiatives, combined with continuous diplomatic outreach, have helped India build stronger strategic partnerships across the world, including with key partners such as Saudi Arabia.
The auditorium was packed with members of the Indian diaspora from different parts of Riyadh and the Kingdom. Singh addressed the gathering in a warm and amiable manner and later held an interactive session.
Community members raised several practical concerns, including difficulties in securing VFS appointments, the need for adequate consular staffs in the Embassy, delays in passport renewals linked to police verification in India, issues related to the NCERT syllabus, challenges faced by engineering and accountancy professionals regarding recognition of their councils in the Kingdom, and various civil, labor and criminal cases involving Indians.
The Minister assured the audience that these matters would be taken up and addressed promptly. He expressed high appreciation for the presence and contributions of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia, noting that their hard work continues to make the government and the nation proud.
Cultural performances by children, women and men representing different states of India added color to the evening. The Minister was given a grand welcome with traditional bands, drumbeats and songs. He warmly lauded the talent and enthusiasm of the performers and also praised the Indian Embassy under the new vibrant Ambassador Vipul IFS and the All India Steering Committee for organizing the event and for their ongoing efforts to support the community.
The program concluded with a community dinner, reflecting the strong bonds of solidarity and shared purpose between the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom and the leadership back home.
News Report by: Dr. & Adv. P. A. HameedPadubidri, Riyadh-KSA
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