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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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India – Saudi Arabia Relation

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Bharathi Pradeep
Bharathi Pradeephttps://www.getcooltricks.com/
Editor at GetCoolTricks.com. Bharathi covers topics on Competitive exams, How To guides, Current exams, Current Affairs, Study Materials, etc. Follow her on social media using the links below.

History

India- Saudi Arabia Relation PDF

  • The third millennium BC marks the beginning of trade and cultural ties between ancient India and Arabia.
  • By the year 1000 AD, commercial ties between Arabia and southern India were thriving and served as the foundation of the Arabian economy.
  • Before the development of European imperialist powers, Arab traders had a monopoly on the spice trade between India and Europe.
  • One of the first countries to forge ties with the Third Saudi State was India.
  • The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947 was followed by high-level visits from both sides.
  • King Saud visited India in 1955 and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Kingdom in 1956.
  • The year 2021-22 commemorates 75 years of India’s independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
  • This celebration also coincides with 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Saudi Arabia.
  • The visit of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Saudi Arabia in 1982 further consolidated bilateral relations.
  • In 2006, the ‘Delhi Declaration’ was signed during the visit of King Abdullah to India, imparting fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship.
  • The reciprocal visit by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 and the ‘Riyadh Declaration’ signed during the visit raised the level of bilateral engagement to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

Trade and economic relations

Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner (after China, the USA, and Japan) and a major source of energy as India imports around 18% of its crude oil requirement from the Kingdom.

  • Saudi Arabia is India’s second-largest crude oil supplier (Iraq has been India’s top supplier).
  • Saudi Arabia is also a significant source of LPG for India.
  • Major exports from India to Saudi Arabia are: Cereals, Spices, Machinery, Iron or steel products, Organic chemicals, Meat, Vehicles, Ceramic products, electronic equipment, and Clothing (not knit or crochet).
  • Major imports from Saudi to India: Oil, organic chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, gems, precious metals, aircraft, spacecraft, inorganic chemicals, aluminium, copper, and other chemical goods.

Other proposed major investments include:

‘West Coast Refinery & Petrochemicals Project’ in Maharashtra, which is being jointly built by Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and an Indian consortium, which includes Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation.

In the renewable energy sector, Saudi Company Al- Fanar has a controlling stake in 600MW Wind Power projects in India.

Saudi Aramco is also discussing with Reliance Industries to acquire a 20% stake in its oil-to-chemicals business.

Cultural relations

In 2021, an MoU on Yoga Cooperation was signed between the Saudi Ministry of Sports and India’s Ministry of AYUSH, which paved the way for the establishment of formal Yoga standards and courses in the Kingdom, marking the first time such standards were implemented by any country in the Gulf region.

Approximately 2.2 million strong Indian community is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is another important component of Indo-Saudi bilateral relations.

  • In 2019, it was announced that India’s Hajj quota would be increased by 24,975 in 2019, enabling 2,00,000 Indians to perform Hajj in August 2019.
  • India has also digitized the Hajj process by providing the Hajj mobile app, health facility – e-MASIHA, e-luggage pre-tagging, and linking the HGOs (Hajj Group Organizers) with the digital system, which has simplified the procedures for pilgrims.

Strategic Partnership Council

The Strategic Partnership Council was instituted in October 2019 during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has two main pillars:

  • Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee
  • Committee on Economy and Investments

Outcomes of the meeting:

  • Streamlining efforts to realize Saudi’s investments worth USD 100 Billion in India.
  • Endorsement of the 41 areas of cooperation identified by the technical teams under the 4 broad domains of Agriculture & Food Security; Energy; Technology & IT; and Industry & Infrastructure.
  • Agreement to undertake the implementation of the priority projects in a time-bound manner.
  • Priority areas of cooperation include:
  1. Collaboration in the digital fintech sector through the operationalization of UPI and Rupay Card in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  2. Re-affirmation of continued cooperation in joint projects including the West coast refinery, LNG infrastructure investment, and development of strategic petroleum storage facilities in India.

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Bharathi Pradeep
Bharathi Pradeephttps://www.getcooltricks.com/
Editor at GetCoolTricks.com. Bharathi covers topics on Competitive exams, How To guides, Current exams, Current Affairs, Study Materials, etc. Follow her on social media using the links below.
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