Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India, Saudi Arabia Advance Bilateral Cooperation During BRICS Summit
India and Saudi Arabia are trying to work more closely together.
Their foreign ministers met in New Delhi during the BRICS Summit.
They talked about events in the region and around the world.
They also discussed how to improve cooperation between their countries.
Officials separately discussed defence cooperation in Riyadh.
Other meetings covered climate action, the environment, and workers’ issues.
Kirti Vardhan Singh met Indian workers living in Saudi Arabia.
He said India would continue to support Indians working abroad.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in New Delhi during the 18th BRICS Summit.
The ministers discussed regional and global developments and ways to advance India-Saudi bilateral cooperation.
Indian Ambassador Vipul and Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence Khaled bin Hussain Al Biyari reviewed defence cooperation and regional issues in Riyadh.
Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh discussed climate, environment, labour and manpower cooperation with Saudi officials.
Singh also met Indian workers in Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the Indian government’s commitment to the diaspora’s welfare.
- Who
- India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and other Indian and Saudi officials.
- What
- They discussed advancing bilateral cooperation, including defence, climate, environment, labour and manpower cooperation.
- When
- Jaishankar’s meeting took place on Sunday during the 18th BRICS Summit; the defence meeting took place on Thursday; Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Saudi Arabia from September 5 to 8.
- Where
- Jaishankar and Prince Faisal met at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi; other meetings took place in Riyadh and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- To advance India-Saudi cooperation, strengthen their strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments.
- Main meeting
- S. Jaishankar met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in New Delhi.
- Summit setting
- The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, which Saudi Arabia attended as an invited country.
- Defence cooperation
- Indian Ambassador Vipul met Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence Khaled bin Hussain Al Biyari in Riyadh.
- Climate and environment
- Kirti Vardhan Singh met Saudi officials to discuss cooperation on climate action and environmental issues.
- Labour cooperation
- Singh and Saudi Human Resources and Social Development Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi discussed labour and manpower cooperation.
- Indian diaspora
- Singh met Indian workers at the Al Fanar Company labour camp and highlighted their role in India-Saudi ties.
