Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 22, 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia, though cut short following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, underscored the Kingdom’s growing importance in India’s foreign policy calculus. Marking his 15th visit to the Gulf and third to Saudi Arabia since 2014, the trip reflected India’s sustained strategic outreach to West Asia. As New Delhi deepens its engagement with the region through energy diplomacy, defence cooperation, and connectivity initiatives, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a pivotal partner. In the wake of this high-stakes visit, INDIA’s WORLD spoke with Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to explore the visit’s outcomes and the evolving arc of India–Saudi relations.
Kirti: Prime Minister Modi’s visit on April 22-23, 2025, marked his third trip to Saudi Arabia, signalling a deepening of India’s engagement with West Asia. How does this visit symbolise a recalibration of India’s foreign policy towards the region, particularly in the context of shifting global geopolitical dynamics?
Amb. Sayeed: Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia marked a significant evolution in India’s West Asia policy, reflecting strategic pragmatism and adaptation to shifting global geopolitics. Historically focused on energy imports and diaspora welfare, India’s engagement with West Asia over the past decade has broadened into a multifaceted strategic partnership. This policy now encompasses deeper security and defence ties, expanded trade, technological collaboration, and a comprehensive energy partnership, emphasising clean energy and connectivity.
This visit occurred amidst significant turmoil in West Asia, including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, actions in Lebanon and Syria, Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea, and uncertainty surrounding US-Iran nuclear talks. Taking place at this critical juncture, Modi’s visit positioned India as a potential stabilising force and a bridge between East and West.
India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi champions strategic autonomy, enabling simultaneous engagement with regional powers like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel without alienating any party. This visit underscores India’s ability to maintain diverse relationships, aligning with its multi-alignment goal and positioning itself as a key player in a fragmented, multipolar world facing US-China tensions and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Despite the unforeseen circumstances leading to a shortened itinerary, due to a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscored the resilience and depth of India-Saudi Arabia relations. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strategic cooperation, particularly in energy, defence, and counter-terrorism efforts. This collaboration remains steadfast, even as India faces internal challenges.
