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Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
India and Saudi Arabia: Shaping a shared future together
On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia, and to our dear Saudi friends and partners. Aug. 15 holds great importance for every Indian, as it was on this day in 1947 that India gained independence. It marked the end of colonial rule and the beginning of our journey as the world's largest democracy. On this day we remember those who fought for our freedom, and we honor the brave soldiers who continue to protect our borders, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. India is proud of its rich civilizational history, diverse cultural ethos, and strong democratic values. India's approach to international relations is based on trust and partnership. India is a leading voice for the Global South, has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, and has taken an active role in upholding sustainability and climate action. Close to eight decades after Independence, India stands out as a shining example of what is possible through the collective action of 1.4 billion people. In the economic realm India is a leader in global trade, investments, and innovation, driven by a robust business environment, a dynamic demographic profile, and sustained economic reforms. As the world's fourth-largest economy with a GDP size larger than $4 trillion, we are on track to become the third-largest economy with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030. India is also the world's fastest-growing major economy with real GDP growing at 6.5 percent on average. India remains a favored destination for global investments, with cumulative FDI inflows reaching $1.05 trillion as of 2024-25. Our strategic initiatives such as Production Linked Incentive schemes, revitalization of MSMEs, and the expansion of digital infrastructure have laid the foundation for a high-growth, high-opportunity economy. We have charted new paths, from space to the high seas, and set our goals on a developed India by 2047. This day is also a time to reflect on our close relationships with key partners. Saudi Arabia is one of India's most trusted and valued strategic partners. Our ties are rooted in a rich tapestry of civilizational, cultural, and commercial connections that date back centuries. Today, the India-Saudi partnership spans a wide array of domains, including defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, healthcare, education, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. However, the strength of our relationship goes far beyond individual sectors: It is anchored in mutual trust, goodwill, and a shared recognition that, in an increasingly uncertain world, our partnership stands as a pillar of stability and strength. The landmark state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in April 2025 was a true reflection of this deepening bond. Prime Minister Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had highly productive engagements in Jeddah, resulting in key outcomes — including the agreement on the establishment of two India-Saudi joint venture refineries in India, and agreements in health, space cooperation, sports and postal cooperation. The two leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, or SPC, during this visit. And in keeping with the deepening of the strategic partnership over the past few years, two new ministerial committees under the SPC, one on defense cooperation and another on tourism and cultural cooperation, were created. India stands out as shining example of what is possible through collective action Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan On the commercial side, our bilateral trade reached around $42 billion in 2024-25. India is now Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, and the Kingdom ranks fifth for India. Indian companies are increasingly investing in Saudi Arabia. Many of them are involved in major infrastructure and energy projects under Vision 2030. Indian IT and tech firms are contributing to Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, while interest is also growing in areas like healthcare, logistics, mining, and startups. We have set up strong institutional frameworks, including a Ministerial Committee on Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology, and a high-level task force on investment. Our economic visions — the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 — complement each other, creating vast synergies for growth. Energy remains a key pillar of our partnership. Saudi Arabia is a major and reliable supplier of oil and gas, which continues to support India's development. We are also working with Saudi Arabia in areas such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. An agreement signed in 2023 covers electrical interconnection, hydrogen, and supply chains. We are exploring the idea of linking our power grids — a project that fits within the broader India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced in 2023. We recognize that stability, in the region and beyond, benefits our nations and the world. To this end, defense cooperation has grown steadily. The first joint army exercise, Sada Tanseeq, took place last year, along with two naval exercises — Al-Mohed Al-Hindi — in 2021 and 2023. There are regular exchanges of military leadership, training programs, and growing collaboration in defense industries. On the security front, we are working closely together to combat terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and cyber threats. There is a natural connection in culture and people-to-people ties. Indian cinema and television content enjoy huge popularity in Saudi Arabia. There is increased cooperation in media and entertainment sectors, including in joint production. Yoga has become popular in the Kingdom, with strong support from the Saudi government. Academic exchanges have expanded. We have initiated joint research activities on historic archives. There is growing interest in the game of cricket among Saudis. More Indian players are participating in the Kingdom's esports tournaments. Two-way tourist numbers have increased consistently. We also welcome Saudi Arabia's decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance. The vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. We deeply appreciate the role of the Saudi leadership in taking care of the welfare of 2.7 million Indians living in the Kingdom. We also congratulate the Saudi leadership for successfully organizing the Hajj pilgrimage this year. India and Saudi Arabia are not only consolidating a dynamic partnership but also charting a bold vision for the future. Together, we are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping peace, progress, and prosperity; not just for our people, but for the entire world. On behalf of the government, people of India and the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the sustained peace, progress, and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. • Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan is India's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
India warns citizens to leave Tehran as some flee Iran
There are around 10,000 Indians in Iran according to government data last year. (EPA Images pic) NEW DELHI : India today urged its citizens to leave Tehran, while some nationals have already fled across the Iranian border as the country comes under Israeli bombardment. With Israel vowing to keep up its attacks four days after launching its assault on Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes, New Delhi said Indian students have already left Tehran. 'Residents who are self sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. The warning came after Israel's ally US President Donald Trump said 'everyone' should 'immediately' leave the Iranian capital, which is home to nearly 10 million. New Delhi said 'some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia', hundreds of kilometres northwest of Tehran. The foreign ministry did not detail how many of its citizens have been affected in Iran, where there are around 10,000 Indians according to government data last year. Thousands of Indians are also in Israel, and New Delhi has issued warnings for its citizens there to 'stay vigilant'.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Germany Scraps Informal Visa Rejection Appeals Process
Visa stamp in passport close-up. Germany has gotten rid of an informal procedure for people to appeal visa rejections. The system, which the government claimed is too costly to staff, is to be replaced with a more official procedure that is likely to take considerably longer and be more expensive. The move looks likely to affect many Indian citizens in particular, who face a relatively high rate of rejection for Schengen visas, and comes as non-EU nationals face considerable hassle in the visa process. Up until 2025, the so-called 'remonstration' process allowed people to appeal a Schengen visa rejection fairly easily and for free, with the state obliged to then explain the reason for the rejection. The system, which was run semi-informally, usually took a relatively short amount of time. From July 2025, the German government has announced, this remonstration system will be scrapped and rejectees will be obliged to go through a more formal, and far more costly, legal process. The government has justified scrapping the remonstration process by arguing that the system is too labor intensive and causes delays in processing other categories of visas, particularly work visas, which the German government has prioritized. Whatever the reason, the effect is likely to mean more people from poorer non-EU regions rejected with little to no possibility of redress. The news has been extensively covered in India. Hundreds of thousands of Indian citizens are issued Schengen visas via Germany per year, with a reasonably high approval rate relative to other countries. The overall rejection rate for Indians across Schengen visas is quite high, however, with estimates being around 15% of people being rejected on the first application, and millions of dollars lost on visa fees. Schengen visas, which allow a non-EU citizen to enter the Schengen visa-free zone of free movement, are the main pathway for people around the world to travel in Europe. For citizens of many parts of the world, including China, India, Turkey and elsewhere, the process of applying can be very expensive and time consuming. It is common for people to wait months, even years, before being allowed to travel to Europe, while people from other and more wealthier regions (Australia, the US, the U.K.) typically enjoy visa-free entry into the Schengen zone. Visas have often been at the heart of relations between Germany and India, as they are between many countries, representing as they do exchange and welcome. The previous German government of Olaf Scholz made a point of increasing the number of skilled worker visas it would offer to Indian citizens, with the announcement made while Chancellor Scholz was in New Delhi visiting Indian PM Modi. Skilled worker visas, different to the Schengen visas mentioned above which are typically for tourists, are important both to India, as well as to Germany which faces historic labor shortages and has implemented various measures in recent years to boost foreign recruitment. The visa remonstration process is to be scrapped by the beginning of July 2025. The legal process that will take over is expected to cost thousands and could see people waiting years, rather than months, for a response.
CNN
07-05-2025
- CNN
5 people charged after 3 dead, 1 missing in alleged human smuggling operation in San Diego, authorities say
See all topics Five people were charged Tuesday for their involvement in an alleged human smuggling operation after a small boat capsized off the San Diego coast Monday morning, according to court documents filed Tuesday. The incident left at least three people dead, four injured and one person missing, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said in a news release. Nine people were initially believed to be missing after the capsizing. During a later immigration inspection in Chula Vista, California, Monday night, authorities stopped multiple vehicles suspected of being part of the alleged smuggling operation and apprehended all but one of the remaining missing people, the US Attorney's office said. One of the three people who died was a 14-year-old boy and Indian citizen, while his 10-year-old sister is the individual still missing, prosecutors said. Their parents are among the four people hospitalized, they added. The two others who died are both Mexican citizens. Two Mexican citizens were arrested at the beach where the boat overturned and were charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain, one complaint shows. Three others were charged with transportation of illegal aliens after being arrested Monday night in Chula Vista, another complaint says. It is not immediately clear if those charged have attorneys. 'Human smuggling, regardless of the route, is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. Smugglers often treat people as disposable commodities, leading to tragic and sometimes deadly consequences, as we saw in this case,' Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego, said in a statement. 'Yesterday's heartbreaking events are a stark reminder of the urgent need to dismantle these criminal networks driven by greed.' The US Coast Guard searched the surrounding area by sea and air with a 45-foot-long rescue boat, a helicopter and other craft, before they called off the search 'pending further developments,' it said in a news release Tuesday.
