By YaHind Staff Reporter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 20, 2025: In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations, India and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark visa waiver agreement in Riyadh, paving the way for smoother official travels and enhanced cooperation under their Strategic Partnership Council. The pact, inked on Friday, marks a new chapter in the enduring friendship between the two nations, benefiting diplomats, officials, and fostering deeper exchanges across key sectors.
The agreement was formally signed by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, and Abdulmajeed bin Rashed Alsmari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Alsmari represented Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah during the ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters in the Saudi capital.
Under the new arrangement, holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports from both countries will enjoy mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements. This streamlined process is poised to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, enabling quicker and more efficient movement of personnel essential for diplomatic engagements, trade negotiations, and collaborative projects.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh hailed the development in a social media statement, emphasizing its role in elevating the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership. “The agreement will facilitate official travels and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council,” the embassy posted, underscoring the commitment to mutual growth and people-to-people connections.
Established to guide high-level dialogues on defense, energy, investment, and cultural ties, the Strategic Partnership Council will now operate with greater agility, thanks to this visa facilitation. Experts anticipate the waiver will accelerate joint initiatives in areas like renewable energy, technology transfer, and labor mobility—vital for the over 2.6 million Indian expatriates thriving in the Kingdom.
Ambassador Khan, in remarks following the signing, described the agreement as “a testament to the robust and evolving partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.” He highlighted how such measures align with Vision 2030 and India’s Act East policy, promising tangible benefits for businesses and communities on both sides.
As the Gulf-India corridor continues to flourish, this visa waiver is more than a diplomatic formality—it’s a bridge to prosperity. YaHind.Com celebrates this milestone and looks forward to the ripple effects it will have on economic and cultural synergies between the two powerhouses.
Stay tuned to YaHind.Com for the latest on Indo-Saudi developments and diaspora stories from the Middle East.
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