Saudi Air Force Jets Escort PM Modi's Plane In Special Gesture: Watch

Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties.

Visuals show Saudi Air Force jets escorting PM Modi's plane.

Source : MEA

In a special gesture, Saudi Air Force jets escorted the plane carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it reached Saudi airspace on Tuesday. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah. PM Modi received Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour in 2016.

PM Modi is likely to discuss issues relating to Hajj, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, in the evening.

#WATCH | In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escort Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane as it entered Saudi airspace to Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/Vhzxd6ir5p

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025

Among the deliverables, the two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology.

Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties.

PM Modi will also visit a factory employing Indian workers on Wednesday.

Ahead of his visit, PM Modi in an interview with Arab News said India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together for peace, progress and prosperity. Noting that the two countries are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty, he said the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) has immense potential to transform the economic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, and the region in general.

He praised the Saudi leadership for playing a vital role in strengthening this partnership and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the invitation, which marks his thirst visit to the kingdom as prime minister.

PM Modi said, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India's most valued partners a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend and a strategic ally." Modi said the economic ties between the two countries are as old as the monsoon winds, noting that they not only survived global challenges but have grown.

While sectors like energy, agriculture and fertilizers are the main areas of the trade, efforts at diversification have borne fruits, he said, adding that Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections.