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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 22–23, 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia comes at a critical stage — one shaped by shifting global power dynamics and a fast-transforming West Asia.
It is his third visit after landmark trips in 2016 and 2019, and includes the second summit of the Strategic Partnership Council — a mechanism born out of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2019 India visit.
PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, 2019
PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, 2016
This visit is set to reframe bilateral ties from transactional cooperation to transformative partnership, expected to cement India’s presence in the Gulf as a strategic player, while also offering Saudi Arabia a reliable partner amidst global uncertainties, including oil market volatility and regional security challenges.
Energy: The Basis and Prospect
Strengthening collaboration in the energy sector remains an important aspect of India-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia ranks as India’s third-largest source of crude oil and LPG, constituting almost 18% of India’s LPG imports. The growth in energy trade in 2023-24 was $25.7 billion.
Both countries appear keen to expand their cooperation beyond the traditional focus on oil trade. Saudi Aramco’s interest in exploring partnerships with Indian companies, such as BPCL and ONGC, reflects a deepening confidence in India’s energy sector and signals a shift toward more strategic, long-term collaboration, including joint investments and co-development initiatives.
Meeting the Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2019.
Furthermore, the visit is expected to lead to the conclusion of new MoUs, including in the area of green hydrogen — a development that aligns with India’s clean energy ambitions and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy for economic diversification. These initiatives hold the potential to enhance India’s long-term energy security while supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to adapt to evolving global energy dynamics and maintain a strong position in international markets.
IMEC: A Corridor of Connectivity and Influence
Perhaps the most geopolitically significant agenda item is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023, IMEC envisions a seamless multi-modal transport and trade corridor connecting India to Europe via the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, occupying the central railroad leg of this route, holds the key to its implementation.
The Saudi segment is still the longest corridor and most neglected segment. It is anticipated that PM Modi’s visit will pave the way for a forward-thinking roadmap. The promise of IMEC is that it will provide a key alternative to trade routes like the Suez Canal by improving resilience and reducing reliance on traditional maritime routes. IMEC links Indian Ports (Mundra, Kandla, and JNPT) with UAE and Saudi Ports (Fujairah, Khalifa, Dammam, and Ras Al Khair), which are resilient and secure against traditional choke points like the Suez Canal.
IMEC aligns well with Saudi Arabia’s vision of emerging as a key logistical hub between the East and West. For India, it complements the Act West policy by enhancing connectivity to Europe and Africa through reliable and secure trade routes. The corridor also promotes regional transparency, fosters multilateral cooperation, and supports sustainable infrastructure development, offering a complementary and balanced alternative within the evolving global connectivity landscape.
Economic and Investment Outlook
As always, trade and investment will also take center stage in terms of dialogue. From joint military exercises, such as Al Mohed Al Hindi, to significant defense exports — including a $300 million artillery ammunition deal in 2024 — the relationship is moving toward deeper institutional engagement. The upcoming talks are expected to cover areas such as intelligence sharing, joint training programs, and co-production of defense equipment.
Against the backdrop of challenging global economic conditions and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to diversify beyond an oil-dependent framework, India presents a promising destination for long-term, strategic investment. By working together to facilitate a more enabling investment environment, both nations can unlock mutually beneficial opportunities that support sustained economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance industrial collaboration.
Shared Stakes in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
Finally, the visit carries wider strategic significance amid an evolving regional landscape marked by shifting diplomatic dynamics. Saudi Arabia’s engagement with Iran, facilitated in part by China and acknowledged by the United States, reflects a broader effort to recalibrate longstanding regional relationships. As countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait take a more autonomous stance in shaping their foreign policy priorities, India’s balanced and constructive approach enables it to engage across the spectrum. This reinforces its image as a credible and responsible partner committed to regional stability and dialogue.
PM’s roundtable interaction with Saudi Business Leaders, 2016.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia symbolizes far more than a routine diplomatic engagement — it reflects a recalibration of India’s foreign policy towards deeper integration with West Asia’s evolving political and economic ecosystem. Hence, Saudi Arabia is vital for India’s strategic outreach in the Middle East, offering access to key regional dynamics. In return, India serves as a stable, dependable partner for Saudi Arabia, especially amid economic diversification and regional shifts in a changing global landscape.
The essence of the visit is a departure from routine diplomatic activity; it marks an operational shift in India’s foreign policy towards deeper integration in the political and economic dynamics of West Asia. As the two leaders convene, they are not just strengthening bilateral ties — they are scripting a new chapter in India’s global rise and Saudi Arabia’s regional transformation.
