Indian Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh sought expats contribution in Viksit Bharat 2047

Riyadh – Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh urged the Indian diaspora to contribute towards realizing Prime Minister Narender Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He appreciated the valuable contributions of Indian expatriates in strengthening Indo-Saudi relations in various sectors including trade, investment, energy and culture. “You are the vibrant link playing an important role to strengthen and prosper very old relationship between India and Saudi Arabia”, he said.
The Minister was addressing the large gathering of Indian expatriates at the International Indian School Riyadh where the All India Steering Committee, under the patronage of the Embassy of India Riyadh organized an impressive community reception in his honor.
Mr. Kirti Vardhan Singh commended the expatriate community for acting as a vital bridge, driving trade, investment, and cultural ties between India and Saudi Arabia. Referencing a past statement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to India where he said that the Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia are warmly regarded as family, Singh called the Indian expatriates as one family. He underscored the deep institutional respect for the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom due to their honesty, hard work and dedication. He also encouraged attendees to leverage emerging opportunities arising from Saudi Arabia’s ongoing rapid economic transformation.
He said that the Indian government really concerns a lot about the well being of Indians in foreign lands. During the emergency like war; government ensured the safe return of Indians including students, workers, families etc.
During the interaction with the community, expatriates raised several issues and concerns to which the minister ensured to look after. Upon request to establish Indian consulate in the Eastern Province, he said the Indian government was considering this but diplomatic and regulatory frameworks within Saudi Arabia present bilateral complexities due to reciprocal demands from other nations.
Upon request for direct flights from Riyadh to regions including Tamil Nadu (Chennai) and the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Gorakhpur, or Azamgarh). Minister Singh stated that while domestic links via major domestic hubs like New Delhi and Mumbai are robust, the commercial feasibility of direct international routes remains under the purview of private airlines, though the ministry will look into the matter.
Addressing complaints regarding long waiting time for passport renewal appointments, Ambassador Vipul confirmed that the Embassy is actively collaborating with institutional partner VFS Global to streamline scheduling and significantly reduce processing bottlenecks.
In his welcome address Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. Vipul introduced the minister and thanked him to grace this event despite his hectic schedule in Riyadh. He thanked the Indian community for graciously displaying the unity in diversity with their presence in this reception.
Indian Ambassador Mr. Vipul, Steering Committee Chairman Mr. Zaigham Khan, Bharatiya Samman awardees Mr. Shihab Kuttukad and Dr. Anwar Khursheed presented the floral bouquets to Mr. Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Students of International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) presented impressive cultural programs. Principal (Interim) IISR, Mrs. Mymoona Abbas supervised the arrangements. Mrs. Tarannum Asif conducted the proceedings eloquently.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh arrived in Riyadh on Saturday on four-day official visit to the Kingdom. The previous day he visited the labor camp of Alfanar Company and interacted with the Indian workers to directly assess the living and working conditions of Indian laborers.
Mr. Kirti Vardhan Singh proved himself a simple and down-to-earth person as he mingled with the community members and graciously agreed to take the photographs and selfies with the community members. Some community members called him the people’s minister.