On the 80th Independence Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indian citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to our dear Saudi friends and partners. Every year on Aug. 15, the people of India commemorate a date of profound importance: the moment in 1947 when the nation threw off colonial rule and stepped into a new era as an independent, self-governing nation — soon to become the largest democracy on Earth.
It is a time to honor the memory of those who fought and sacrificed for that freedom and to express gratitude to the soldiers who continue to stand guard over the country’s borders today.
India draws strength from a civilizational legacy that spans millennia, a cultural landscape of remarkable diversity and a deep-rooted commitment to democratic principles. Beyond being recognized as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, the country has positioned itself as a dependable and trusted voice in tackling shared global challenges.
At the heart of India’s engagement with the world lies a foundation of trust, mutual respect and dedication to the collective welfare of humanity. The government of India is fully committed to meeting the aspirations of the country’s large and dynamic youth.
India’s momentum is built on the shared ambition of its 1.4 billion people, all working toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” — a fully developed nation by that year. Among the world’s major economies, India holds the top spot for economic growth, fueled by a culture of innovation, widespread digital adoption, a strengthening manufacturing sector, large-scale infrastructure development and a workforce that is both young and increasingly skilled.
The country’s transport networks have seen remarkable expansion — national highway construction now proceeds at close to 34 km per day, while the laying of railway track exceeds 8 km daily. India has also become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. Its energy roadmap is equally ambitious: 500 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030, followed by 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. The private sector will also play an important role in expanding the nuclear sector in India, following the passage of the landmark SHANTI Act.
In the financial technology space, India leads globally, handling nearly half of all real-time digital payment transactions worldwide. To support cutting-edge research, the government has invested more than $10 billion across its artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductor missions. The space industry, now open to private enterprise, has grown to include more than 400 startups, one of which has already achieved unicorn status. At the same time, other nations are placing growing trust in India’s defense technology and equipment.
The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the living bridge between our two countries. They enrich both our countries.
Shri Vipul
I feel deeply honored and privileged to take charge as India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. We have a historically close relationship, which has been further elevated over recent decades to a fruitful and valued strategic partnership. Today, our cooperation spans a wide range of sectors, including energy, defense, security, investment, technology, health, education, culture and tourism. Our partnership is anchored in mutual trust, goodwill and the invaluable guidance of our leadership. I am certain that our civilizational, cultural and commercial ties dating back centuries will continue to reach greater heights.
The visits of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023 and Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia in 2025 were major milestones in the recent past. The Strategic Partnership Council was expanded with new ministerial committees on defense cooperation and tourism, and cultural cooperation, supplementing the existing committees on political and economic cooperation. Regular engagement between the leaders, foreign ministers, national security advisers, senior officials and parliamentarians has strengthened coordination on bilateral, regional and global topics.
Our economies complement each other well. Bilateral trade stands at more than $41 billion. India is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest trading partner and Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest. The Kingdom is our reliable partner in ensuring energy and fertilizer supplies.
Indian companies have benefited from the opportunities created by Vision 2030. The number of Indian companies registered in the Kingdom has grown from about 500 in 2020 to more than 6,000 today. The total Saudi investment in India — including that of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi companies and the Saudi-backed Vision Fund — is about $10 billion. India has strong capabilities in digital public infrastructure, fintech and innovation. There is considerable scope to expand cooperation in energy, connectivity, infrastructure, logistics and healthcare. Collaboration in AI, green hydrogen, renewable energy, space and advanced manufacturing can be the next drivers of our economic partnership.
Our people remain at the heart of our relationship, with more than 2.7 million Indians making the Kingdom their home. The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the living bridge between our two countries. Through their work and lives, they enrich both our countries. We thank the Saudi government for ensuring the welfare and comfort of our citizens. We also heartily congratulate the Saudi leadership for the successful completion of Hajj 2026.
India and Saudi Arabia are steadily advancing their partnership and building a shared vision for the future, even in the current uncertain times of regional conflict. The Kingdom plays an important role in advancing regional peace and stability, and India has also consistently supported the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We share a common ground with Saudi Arabia on issues related to freedom of navigation and uninterrupted flow of trade and energy. We hope that peace, stability and normality is restored in the region at the earliest opportunity.
On behalf of the government, the people of India and the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, I extend my best wishes to King Salman, the crown prince and the entire government and people of Saudi Arabia for the sustained peace, progress and prosperity of the Kingdom.
BY: Writer Shri Vipul is the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect The Times Union‘ point of view
