India-Saudi Arabia

With a majority of Indian professional actively seeking opportunities to upskill, the country has emerged as the global leader in technological adaptation, according to a report. More than 70 per cent of Indian professionals are actively seeking opportunities to upskill, said the report released by the Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)-based Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC). The report highlights the dynamic nature of India's job market, where artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are becoming integral. "While global trust in governments to support upskilling remains low at 20 per cent, Indian respondents (31 per cent) and those in Saudi Arabia (35 per cent) demonstrated significantly higher confidence in their governments. "In contrast, countries like the USA (15 per cent) and UK (12 per cent) reported markedly lower trust levels. Indian respondents also expressed 49 per cent trust in businesses, further emphasizing the private sector's role in workforce development,"

Saudi Arabia has extended the USD 3 billion debt repayment period with Pakistan for another year after the cash-strapped nation could not pay the debt, the country's central bank has said. The term of the deposit was maturing on Thursday. The State Bank of Pakistan stated that Saudi Arabia had placed the USD 3 billion deposit initially for one year in 2021 and subsequently rolled over it in 2022 and 2023, after the issuance of the royal directives that reflect the continuation of the close relationship between the two brotherly countries, the Express Tribune reported. It was the first extension in a series of debt extensions, which Pakistan would need from now till the end of June next year to avoid at least USD 13 billion more repayments to Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates. Another USD 2 billion Saudi cash deposit will be maturing by mid-June next year, which Pakistan will again not pay back and get a rollover, said the Finance Ministry sources. "The Saudi Fund for

EAM Jaishankar emphasised India's commitment to condemning acts of terrorism and hostage-taking while expressing deep concern over the continuing deaths of civilians

Indians represent the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia and "welcoming conditions" for women are increasing the kingdom's appeal for Indian women seeking meaningful employment here, according to the country's human resources and social development ministry. Official figures show that as of 2024, over 2.4 million Indian workers reside in the kingdom, with 1.64 million in the private sector and 785,000 in domestic work. Bangladesh has the highest number of expat workers at 2.69 million. A spokesperson in the ministry said Indian workers, including women, play a vital role in Saudi Arabia's labour market, comprising a substantial portion of the expatriate workforce. "Comprehensive reforms, expanded workplace support, and investments in skills development create welcoming conditions for women from diverse backgrounds," the spokesperson said. "Improved infrastructure, including women-only transportation and childcare support, further enhances the appeal for Indian wome

India and Saudi Arabia are exploring collaboration in emerging fields like fintech, new technologies, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, textiles and mining to further boost trade and investment ties, an official statement said on Friday. These areas were discussed during the recent visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Riyadh. He co-chaired the second meeting of the economy and investment committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with Minister of Energy, Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud on October 30 in Riyadh. "Both countries are exploring collaboration in emerging fields like fintech, new technologies, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, textiles, mining," the commerce and industry ministry said. During the Future Investment Initiative (FII) event, the minister urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital ..

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will discuss ways to increase cooperation with Saudi Arabia in areas like renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and manufacturing during his two-day visit, an official statement said on Monday. The visit to Riyadh will begin from Tuesday. The commerce and industry ministry said Goyal will participate in the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, a crucial platform that brings together global leaders, investors, and innovators. His participation will highlight India's rapid economic growth, its focus on sustainable development, AI, and the immense opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, it said. On the sidelines of the FII, the minister will engage with prominent global investors. "These interactions aim to strengthen investor confidence, facilitate investment flows, and promote India as a preferred global investment destination," it said. He will also hold bilateral

Saudi Arabia has launched a new initiative that aims at promoting quality of life and developing stronger bonds between the local society and the Indian and other expatriate communities through cultural promotion. Unveiling the Global Harmony initiative here on Wednesday night, Saudi deputy minister for media Khalid bin Abdulqader Al-Ghamdi, said, This initiative will also showcase the different cultures of the expats and how they are living in harmony. The Global Harmony initiative is a part of Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life programme to attain its 'Vision 2030' objectives. Ambassador of India Suhel Ajaz Khan and top diplomats of many other countries were present on the occasion. After the launch, Al-Ghamdi said Indians living in Saudi Arabia are contributing in a large way to the greater Saudi society. Khan said Indians are the largest expat community in Saudi Arabia with an approximate 2.6 million people. The Indian community is increasing. Last one year itself, the community h

Al-Ghamdi's statement comes after Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media launched the 'global harmony' initiative in Riyadh

New Delhi will have a variety of supply choices in the next few months at competitive rates from Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will on Sunday embark on a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Germany and Switzerland with a larger aim to boost overall bilateral ties and deliberate on pressing regional and global challenges. He will first travel to the Saudi capital Riyadh on a two-day trip primarily to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The GCC is an influential grouping comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. In Riyadh, Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several GCC member countries. The MEA said India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, including in areas of trade and investment, energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. "The GCC region has emerged as a m

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has signed a pact with the General Court of Audit, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation and exchange of expertise between the two nations in the field of public sector auditing. The area of cooperation encompasses conducting joint training programmes on topics related to financial, performance and compliance audits and exchange of audit manuals and audit methodologies, the CAG said. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday in Riyadh. "Our commitment to a strong bilateral relationship is a witness to the shared values and objectives of our institutions and will serve to reinforce bonds between our SAIs and our nations," CAG Girish Chandra Murmu said. The CAG stated that the support and cooperation between the two SAIs will energise their capacity development initiatives and encourage exchange of knowledge and information between the two Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Hussam Abdulmohsen Alangari,

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's much-anticipated visit to Pakistan has been deferred for unspecified reasons, a report said on Saturday. He was earlier expected to arrive in Islamabad on May 19 on a two-day visit, Geo News reported. Commenting on the visit of the Saudi crown prince, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch on Friday clarified that details of the visit will be made public as soon as a schedule is worked out between Islamabad and Riyadh. Baloch was confident that the visit would take place soon and surely be valuable as the people of Pakistan were anxiously waiting for the leader from the brotherly country. The high-level visit was likely to take place after the recent diplomatic and trade-related engagements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to the Kingdom in March. The expected visit of the top dignitary, which has now been delayed, possesses vital importance to cash-strapped Pakistan eyeing big ...

Oil imports from Iraq declined by 20-23%, the data showed

Jaishankar is currently in Munich, Germany, to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 from February 16-18. Earlier, he met Atlantic Council President Fred Kempe

The validation phase of 'SADA TANSEEQ', the first joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Force was completed at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on Thursday, according to an official statement. The 12-day exercise from January 29 to February 9 was aimed at achieving interoperability between the two forces and acquaint each other with operational procedures and combat drills under the UN mandate, it said. The Indian contingent of the 20th Battalion of The Brigade of Guards Regiment and the Saudi Arabian contingent comprising a group of 45 soldiers participated in the exercise conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on combat conditioning and tactical training. The second culminated in physical exercises and validation. Both contingents jointly took part in the validation phase which included the creation of a temporary operating base, the establishment of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance grid and a mobile vehicle check post an

India and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a bilateral agreement under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan in Jeddah. According to an official statement, a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Haj Committee whereas 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through private operators. "Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, along with Hon'ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on matters of mutual interest with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs, Irani .

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Saudi Arabia to protect the rights of skilled labourers from India. "Skilled labourers in India can register themselves at NSDC... after which we will come to know where they are going, for which work and with whom they will be working," NSDC CEO Ved Mani Tiwari said. The registration process will be free of cost, he said, adding that skilled labourers from all categories, including AC mechanics, and car painters, can register themselves on NSDC. "Skill India Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Currently, we are working with 13 countries and in the coming days we are going to open 30 skill international centres," he said. It is not true that all agents through whom people go to Saudi Arabia from India are bad, and if people want to go via agents, they may do so, but they have to register at NSDC, he said, adding that the documentation will be don

India's trade with the Arab world has already surpassed an all-time high of $240 billion a year

Singh urged the MENA countries to join the Global Biofuel Alliance to bolster international cooperation in sustainable biofuels and fully harness the potential of the Alliance

The fund is the seven largest sovereign wealth fund in the world and is the kingdom's key investment vehicle