Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 01-03 May 2023. During the visit MoS met with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji, senior Saudi officials and members of the business community. He also held interactions with a wide cross-section of Indian community in Riyadh and Dammam.
During his meeting with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji, MoS conveyed appreciation of Government of India to the leadership and Government of Saudi Arabia for facilitating Operation Kaveri through Jeddah. Both Ministers reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, including G20. They expressed satisfaction on the continued progress in strategic partnership and agreed to impart further momentum in various fields including trade, investment, energy, health, education and culture. MoS took up various consular issues concerning the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
MoS also held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Zahrani and H.E. Dr. Adnan Al Nuaim, Deputy Ministers in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Both sides discussed, in particular, enhancing their cooperation in the fields of skills.
MoS visited Dammam in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on 03 May. During this visit, he met prominent members of the Saudi and Indian business community at an event organized by the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce. On this occasion, MoS also inaugurated a Millets Exhibition to commemorate International Year of Millets 2023.
MoS held interactive sessions with various Indian community social and cultural organizations in Riyadh and Dammam.