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28 March 2024

After UAE, Modi now on Saudi visit; what’s in it for expat Indians?

Photo credit: Supplied

Published
By Vicky Kapur

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit. He arrived in Riyadh on Saturday.

In a show of solidarity with the millions of expat workers, Modi visited the L&T workers’ residential complex in Riyadh.

L&T is part of a consortium that is building a section of the Riyadh Metro.

In the same vein as the statements made here in the UAE while he was here seven months ago, Modi said he appreciated the efforts of India’s expat workforce.

“Your hard work has brought me here,” he told the workers.

He said that the work being done by Indian workers abroad, not only earns money, but also raises the stature of India. He said Indian workers were fondly remembered in various parts of the world where they had completed many prestigious projects.

He said that, in future, the Riyadh Metro too would similarly evoke memories about Indian workers who had contributed to its construction.

Modi signed a workers’ helmet during his visit to the complex. Saudi Arabia is India’s top energy supplier and home to more than 3.5 million Indian expatriates.

Today, he is expected to sign trade agreements, including contracts to secure investment for infrastructure projects, and offer security and military cooperation, such as training and joint exercises, government officials said.

The Indian premier's visit is just over seven months after he travelled to the UAE and signed a security cooperation agreement that includes regular meetings between top security advisers.

Modi will look to broaden those ties, with one foreign ministry official saying healthcare, education, religious tourism and labour reforms would also be key talking points.