Indian in Saudi hold high expectations from Modi visit

Riyadh : India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Riyadh is expected to bring the two countries closer in terms of strategic partnership, business development, investment opportunities and increased Haj quota for Indians etc.

King Abdullah’s visit to India in 2006 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visit to Saudi Arabia in 2010 resulted in the Delhi Declaration and Riyadh Declaration.

After the two leader’s visits there was a boost in bilateral relations between the two countries. The number of Indian expatriate working in Saudi Arabia has risen to 2.96 million while in business Saudi Arabia has become India’s fourth largest partner with trade exceeding $39 billion in 2014-2015.

Saudi Arabia is also India’s largest crude oil supplier accounting for about one-fifth of our total imports. In view of exceeding terror activities by Daesh (so-called IS), the high level meeting between Prime Minister Modi and King Salman is expected to cover this sensitive issue.

Many Indians hope that Prime Minister Modi will seek from King Salman an increase in the Haj quota for Indian pilgrims in the future, while also holding out that the welfare of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia will be a key issue.

Recently Modi had declared that “Those who spread terror in the name of religion are anti-religious.” Addressing a forum in New Delhi he praised Islam and said that none of 99 Names of Allah SWT stand for force and violence and two names — Rahman and Raheem — denote compassionate and merciful.

It is expected that both the countries will sign MoU on scientific research and development. In continuation of Delhi Declaration and Riyadh Declaration, major breakthroughs in various fields is expected as an outcome of Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with King Salman.

But the Diaspora hopes to raise many issues with Prime Minister Modi. One of the key plea has been from the vast number of people hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka who are looking for a direct Air India connectivity to their cities.

Education is also a major issue, even though the Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the largest community, their children do not have the facility of pursuing higher studies after 12th standard.

The existing infrastructure of Indian schools has become insufficient as thousands of parents are seeking admission of their children at Indian schools in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail etc.

Journalist and author, Mohammed Saifuddin expects Prime Minister Modi to listen to the problems of Indians in Saudi Arabia there should be platform where the community should get an opportunity to express their grievances to the Prime Minister.

Aijaz Ahmed Khan, President, India Forum, Jeddah, said: “It is very good news that our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is visiting the Kingdom. It will boost the relationship between the two important countries and we all NRIs will get benefit from this visit. There will be lots of agreements signed and long term MoUs will be inked.”

Syed Zia ur Rahman, CEO, Yahind Infotech, said “There is a huge potential seen in bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is also looking for joint ventures in different fields for its economic growth. So the visit of Prime Minister Modi is going to be of mutual benefit for both the countries. India is also looking for investments in different sectors under Make in India project and will give Saudi Arabia an opportunity to invest.”

Shoukath Khan, vice president, BJP Minority Morcha Telangana, and businessman from Jeddah, said “This is a good initiative by Indian Prime Minister Modi to look toward the Mideast. In my view the Gulf region is ready for new partnerships. As usual, our PM is taking good steps for business growth in Gulf region.”