The Indian Republic at 77: Prosperity at home, partnerships abroad

On the joyous occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, I extend my warmest greetings to the Indian community, persons of Indian origin and friends of India in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On Jan. 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect — a historic moment that transformed a newly independent nation into a sovereign, democratic republic guided by the timeless ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. These foundational values continue to shape India’s national journey and its engagement with the world.

India today stands as a nation of 1.4 billion people, proud of its ancient civilization and confident in its modern aspirations. It is a country that harmonizes tradition with innovation, spirituality with science and diversity with unity. From being among the world’s fastest-growing major economies to emerging as a global leader in technology, digital innovation, space exploration, renewable energy and inclusive development, India’s progress is firmly anchored in the strength of its democratic institutions.

India is today the fourth-largest economy in the world with a gross domestic product of more than $4 trillion. This remarkable economic journey has been made possible by the genius of its people, strong macroeconomic fundamentals, continuing structural reforms and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. While global growth rates have slowed, India’s growth, at close to 8 percent, has positioned it as a global hub for manufacturing, innovation, startups and digital transformation. Landmark investments in infrastructure — highways, ports, airports and logistics — are reshaping the nation and strengthening its integration with global supply chains.

A defining feature of India’s transformation is its leadership in the digital economy. Through initiatives in digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion and technology-enabled governance, India has empowered millions, enhanced transparency and significantly improved the ease of doing business. India’s leadership in the digital economy is now transitioning to new areas like artificial intelligence.

India will host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next month, bringing together global leaders, industry experts and researchers on the theme of “People, Planet, Progress” to discuss the practical and societal implications of AI. The summit will focus on promoting responsible and inclusive AI development, highlighting its potential to drive equitable growth and address global challenges across sectors, centering on the role of the Global South.

India’s progress is guided by the inspiring national vision of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) — the goal of transforming India into a fully developed nation by 2047, when it will mark 100 years of independence. The Viksit Bharat vision emphasizes inclusive growth, sustainability, innovation, youth empowerment and human-centric development, ensuring that economic progress translates into opportunities for all, leaving no one behind.

While pursuing development at home, India is committed to deepening its partnerships abroad. Of particular focus is India’s age-old ties with Saudi Arabia, rooted in mutual trust and friendship, nurtured over centuries of maritime trade and people-to-people exchanges. Today, as strategic partners, India and Saudi Arabia are deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, charting a shared path toward prosperity, progress and peace.

Over the past year, bilateral engagement gained renewed momentum with the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jeddah last April, during which the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council was held. A significant outcome was the decision to expand the council to include two additional ministerial committees on  tourism and culture, and defense, reflecting the two countries’ shared ambition to further elevate their partnership.

India and Saudi Arabia are deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, charting a shared path toward prosperity, progress and peace.

Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan

The economic relationship remains a central pillar of the partnership. India remains Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest. During the 2024-25 financial year, bilateral trade stood at nearly $42 billion. While Saudi Arabia remains central to our energy security, there are also strong trade linkages in sectors like food, fertilizers, chemicals, machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and jewelry. Indian companies have flourished in the Kingdom, with more than 5,000 now registered and active in Saudi Arabia. Many of them are active in sectors like retail, healthcare, construction and IT.

The High-Level Task Force on investment that met shortly before Modi’s visit to Jeddah, delivered significant outcomes, including decisions on two joint-venture oil refineries in India, alongside a range of investment facilitation measures, including special concessions for Saudi sovereign entities such as the Public Investment Fund.

These outcomes signal a complementarity of interests: India’s development pathway aligns closely with the aspirations of the Kingdom under Vision 2030, creating immense scope for deeper collaboration in sectors such as the energy transition, green hydrogen, defense manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, technology, hospitality and tourism. Together, our two nations can also contribute meaningfully to global growth and economic stability.

High-level engagements reflect mutual trust and understanding. In 2025 alone, Saudi Arabia hosted several Indian ministers, including the ministers of chemicals and fertilizers, mines and minerals, law and justice, culture and tourism, and minority affairs. From the Saudi side, the ministers of industry and mineral resources, investment, and education visited India, underscoring the intensity and breadth of high-level exchanges. India also hosted the first visit from the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shoura Council.

The last year also marked a significant milestone in the Saudi-Indian defense partnership, highlighted by the first official visit to India by Saudi Chief of the General Staff Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili in December.

The significant and growing Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia — now numbering more than 2.7 million — has made wide-ranging contributions to the Kingdom’s development. Through their hard work and dedication, the diaspora continues to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Embassy remains closely engaged with the community, providing essential services and working alongside it to promote Indian culture and strengthen bilateral friendship. In this spirit, the embassy organized the third edition of the week-long cultural festival Pravasi Parichay, which saw enthusiastic participation from the Indian diaspora and representation from more than 20 Indian states.

Indian artists and cultural groups also featured prominently during Riyadh Season 2025, including through the Global Harmony initiative at Al-Suwaidi Park, highlighting India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Guided by the vision of the leadership in both countries, the India-Saudi Arabia partnership has deepened significantly in recent years, while setting ambitious objectives for expansion and diversification across multiple sectors. Our progress, however, cannot distract from the immense potential that remains. As I complete three years as ambassador of India in this beautiful country, I remain deeply thankful to the members of Saudi society and the Indian diaspora for their hospitality, warmth and support in strengthening India-Saudi relations and elevating them to new heights. I also invite our Saudi friends to visit India and explore its rich culture, heritage, cuisine and hospitality.

On behalf of the government and people of India and the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, I extend my sincere best wishes to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Saudi Arabia and extend my sincere gratitude for taking care of the Indian community in the Kingdom.

Long live the India-Saudi friendship.

• Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan is India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.