India's Modi visits Saudi Arabia, seeks to boost trade route to counter China
India's largely transactional relationship with Saudi Arabia has moved beyond oil sales to a more strategic and closer partnership.
DUBAI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday is expected to deepen existing energy partnerships and strategic cooperation and to possibly revive the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, underscoring India's growing clout in the Middle East.
Modi’s visit, which includes a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to address a wide-ranging agenda, including energy security, trade, strategic alignment and regional developments.
India's external affairs ministry said on its website on April 19 that the upcoming visit reflects the importance India has attached to its bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The visit "will provide an opportunity to further deepen and strengthen our multi-faceted partnership, as well as to exchange views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest," it added.
