Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi early Wednesday morning, cutting short his two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed several innocent lives.
Originally scheduled to return Wednesday night, PM Modi decided to leave early, skipping an official dinner hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to government sources.
During his visit, Modi held high-level talks with the Crown Prince and co-chaired the second India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) meeting in Jeddah. Both leaders reviewed progress made since their last meeting in September 2023 and discussed ways to deepen ties across sectors including defence, energy, trade, investment, and people-to-people relations. They also deliberated on regional and global issues, as well as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) initiative.
Condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended his deepest condolences, and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that PM Modi also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, who strongly condemned the “ghastly” terror attack. During their meeting, Modi lauded the League’s efforts to promote moderation, social harmony, and its firm stance against extremism and violence.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior officials were present at these meetings.
In a social media post, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the addition of two new Ministerial Committees—on Defence Cooperation and Tourism and Culture Cooperation—under the SPC framework.
PM Modi, who was escorted into Jeddah by a Saudi fighter jet and accorded a 21-gun salute, was honored with full ceremonial protocol. India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, described the visit as a reflection of the close personal rapport between PM Modi and the Crown Prince.
As part of his engagements, Modi also met Padmashri awardee and yoga expert Nouf Marwaii and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia. This marked PM Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia, following earlier trips in 2009 and 2016.
The Prime Minister’s abrupt return highlights the gravity of the Pahalgam terror attack, which has sparked nationwide condemnation and led to widespread protests and candlelight marches across Jammu and Kashmir.
