RIYADH: The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia — two traditionally friendly countries — has strengthened over the past decade into a strategic partnership incorporating greater political and security elements.
The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Riyadh in April 2016 further bolstered the relationship, laying foundations for deeper ties and broadening the scope of the partnership.
This landmark visit, preceded by those of the late King Abdullah to India and the then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia, laid the foundation of a strong strategic partnership and supplied the momentum to the relationship.
Agreements signed during these high-profile state visits underlined the need to focus on five pillars of cooperation: Trade and investment; energy; overseas employment; defense and security; and cultural interaction.
Undoubtedly in recent years India and Saudi Arabia have shared a healthy bilateral accord based on mutual interests — extensive trade, energy imports, cultural contacts and growing security cooperation.
Since taking power in 2014, the Modi government gave revewed vigor to this drive, prioritizing key areas of mutual benefit, promising well for growth in Saudi-Indo relations.
Through his visits to the major Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Modi revitalized India’s relations with the entire Gulf and extended region.
Currently, India-Saudi relations revolve around the key areas of trade and investment and defense and security cooperation.
In an interview with Arab News last week, Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed, said: “The Indian economy remains the oasis of growth and stability in the global scenario, and it is growing steadily at seven percent.”
He pointed out that “several major MNCs see India as a land of potential and opportunities and are keen to invest in India, Saudi MNCs are no exception.”
Ambassador Javed noted that Saudi Aramco has opened its office Aramco Asia India Ltd. in India recently.
The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) also has a huge presence in India.
“On the whole, India welcomes the world to explore the economic opportunities our nation has to offer, and we expect Saudi Arabia to be the foremost country to reap the benefits,” he added, mentioning the cordial relations between the two countries and their centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties.
Referring to the genesis of Saudi-Indian relations, he said that the high-level visits from both sides had paved the way.
The historic visit by King Saud to India in 1955, following Crown Prince Faisal’s preparatory visit, and the reciprocal visit by Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of independent India, to the Kingdom in 1956, laid strong foundations.
The visit of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Saudi Arabia in 1982 further boosted relations.
Saudi Arabia is India’s 4th largest trading partner and a major pillar of India’s energy security.
“India and Saudi Arabia, guided by their steadfast leadership, have embarked on an ambitious economic agenda… both have lots of potential and opportunities,” said the Indian envoy.
Investments are another important area where India looks to the Gulf countries, including the Kingdom, for foreign direct investments (FDIs) in its expanding market.
As the Modi government focuses on infrastructure and projecting India as a potential global manufacturing hub, Saudi Arabia has shown signs of being a major source of investments due to its large sovereign wealth fund.
From April 2000 to December 2016, Saudi companies invested $75 million in the Indian market.
While this is below other leading investors and its potential, it formed a significant part of the discussion during Modi’s Riyadh visit in April 2016 and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Hangzhou, China, at the G-20 meeting that year.
“We look to tap the complementarities and assure development to both the sides,” said the diplomat, adding that the recent classification of yoga under sports and activities by Saudi authorities is expected to further enhance the cultural exchanges.
Referring to the energy cooperation between the two countries, he said Saudi Arabia continues to be a reliable source of India’s energy security.
“The increasing crude demand is to be met by a stronger partnership between India and its oil and gas suppliers (and potential investors), most preferably Saudi Arabia, to deliver an efficient and robust energy sector,” he observed.
In fact, New Delhi has invited Saudi Arabia to invest more in India’s burgeoning markets, encouraging Saudi companies to participate in projects creating mega-industrial manufacturing corridors and smart cities, as well as the Digital India technology and Start up India programs.
In reply to a question about Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ties with India, he said “the Gulf region holds a significant position in our political, commercial, security, energy and defense engagements.”
The total trade between India and GCC topped $100 billion in 2016-17, said the envoy, adding that the Gulf region is home to more than eight million Indian expatriates.
Largest group
“Indians form the largest group of expatriates in each of the GCC countries and have contributed to the remarkable economic transformation of these countries during the past five decades,” he added.
Speaking on key issues confronting the world today, Ambassador Javed said “terrorism continues to be one of the most serious threats to the international peace and security, undermining the social and economic development of the nation.”
He added: “India strongly condemns state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism and there can be no tolerance for states sheltering, training or financing terrorists.”
He said that the joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Modi underscores the commitment of Saudi and Indian leaders to strengthening cooperation in combatting terrorism bilaterally and within the UN.
“It is satisfying that the Kingdom and India have growing cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including exchange of information relating to terrorist activities,” he said.
Turning to the issue of climate change, he added: “India is deeply committed to the Paris Accord.
“Our prime minister has, on his personal initiative, launched the International Solar Alliance as witness to our abiding commitment.”
He also highlighted India’s position on sustainable development and eradicating global poverty.
Saudi Arabia, India strengthen strong bonds of friendship
Saudi Arabia, India strengthen strong bonds of friendship
From Seoul to Saudi: How Korean and Japanese stores are influencing Saudi tastes
- Exotic flavors find favor in Saudi cities
- Food trend spurred by pop stars and TV dramas
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s streets are no stranger to international flavors, but in recent years, Korean and Japanese specialty supermarkets have found new popularity. From rows of instant noodles and savory sauces to unique skincare products, these stores offer a slice of East Asia in the heart of Saudi Arabia. Cities like Riyadh and Alkhobar are embracing this cultural and culinary fusion, highlighting the growing appetite for global experiences among Saudis, driven by the influence of entertainment and a desire for novelty.
Korean culture, spearheaded by the global phenomenon of K-pop and K-dramas, has taken the world by storm, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. For Fahad Al-Salmi, the owner of the Japanese and Korean Mart in Riyadh, this cultural wave was a business opportunity waiting to happen. “Our decision to open a Korean supermarket in Saudi Arabia was driven by a growing interest in Korean culture, particularly through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine,” Al-Salmi told Arab News.
“Many Saudis are curious about trying new flavors and exploring international cultures, and Korea has become a popular trend. We saw an opportunity to introduce authentic Korean products to satisfy that demand and to offer a unique experience for local customers,” he added.
This curiosity is translating into tangible lifestyle changes. Korean snacks, instant noodles, and condiments like gochujang (Korean chili paste) and soy sauce have become staples for many families. Al-Salmi observes that these products are now becoming integrated into everyday meals for many Saudi households. “With the influence of Korean entertainment, many Saudis are more open to trying international foods and incorporating them into their diets,” he noted.
HIGHLIGHTS
• While Riyadh has witnessed a growing number of specialty stores, cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are also joining the movement.
• By offering authentic and unique products, Korean and Japanese supermarkets are creating connections between cultures.
For Abdusalam Thodi, the owner of Kimchi Supermarket in Riyadh, the inspiration was personal. “I was inspired by Korea to open a Korean supermarket because I studied there,” shared Thodi. “Our bestsellers are Korean noodles and sauces, but we also offer a wide range of cultural products and specialty foods. Korean cuisine and culture are rapidly growing in popularity here in Saudi Arabia, and we’re proud to be part of this exciting trend.”
While Riyadh has witnessed a growing number of these specialty stores, cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are also joining the movement. The expansion into these regions highlights the nationwide appeal of Korean and Japanese supermarkets, catering to the tastes and preferences of Saudis across the Kingdom.
The allure of these supermarkets extends far beyond their aisles. They offer customers the chance to engage with a lifestyle that, until recently, was only accessible through screens. For long-time K-drama fan Fatimah Al-Dossari, the emergence of Korean supermarkets has been a dream come true.
With the influence of Korean entertainment, many Saudis are more open to trying international foods and incorporating them into their diets.
Fahad Al-Salmi, Japanese and Korean Mart owner
“I’ve been watching Korean dramas for 20 years, and I never imagined I’d get to try the food they enjoy on screen!” said Al-Dossari. “It’s amazing to see so many supermarkets now offering popular Korean snacks, noodles, cooking sauces, and seasonings. I couldn’t be happier — shopping for these items has become a regular treat for me every three weeks!"
Zainab Al-Salman, a frequent customer, describes the experience of shopping at these stores as a unique cultural adventure. “Trying new things that represent a different culture is always a great way to get to know this culture in your home and have a fun time exploring it,” she said. “Every time I go, it’s like visiting a museum. I tend to feel happy and joyful trying to pick what I will try next that I haven’t tried before.”
Al-Salman also appreciates the practical advantages of these markets. “Specialty markets often offer more options than just one section in other regular markets, and sometimes they are even cheaper,” she added.
The availability of Korean and Japanese products is fostering new habits in families. Al-Salman shared how her family’s shopping behavior has evolved thanks to these specialty supermarkets.
“Yes, it did help me build some habits like buying a kimchi bowl every few months for the family,” she explained. “That opened their eyes to other different things.”
Korean and Japanese supermarkets offer products and experiences that traditional supermarkets cannot replicate.
“Some of these products are not popular (enough) to be produced and sold in our markets, like different types of skincare products that are more effective than others,” noted Al-Salman. “This makes the supermarkets more attractive due to having more options to choose between.”
Al-Salman described how specialty markets provide a sense of wonder for shoppers. “For people who’ve never visited, their first visit is always like a good experience for them to see different things than a regular market,” she said.
For business owners like Al-Salmi and Thodi, the journey is as rewarding as it is exciting. By offering authentic and unique products, they are creating connections between cultures.
As Al-Dossari summed it up: “It’s amazing to see how food can bring people closer to a culture.”
With the growing influence of global cultures, Saudi Arabia’s retail sector is transforming, one supermarket aisle at a time. Cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are now key players in this transformation, ensuring that the bond between cultures continues to grow stronger with each passing year.
Qassim’s berry farms revolutionizing Saudi agriculture
- Local produce matching global quality standards
- Advanced hydroponics vital to success, says expert
QASSIM: The Qassim region has become the leading producer of strawberries and blueberries in Saudi Arabia, challenging international imports with produce that matches global quality standards, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
This success has been driven by many farmers’ ambition to innovate, modernize, and create quality alternatives to imported varieties.
The path to premium berry production in Qassim required multiple developments, agricultural engineer Saleh Ibrahim Al-Keaid told the SPA.
Al-Keaid said that the journey to excellence involved extensive research and collaboration with international experts.
“We spent a full year experimenting with different varieties and agricultural elements to achieve our current success,” he said.
The result is a premium product that rivals American and European berries in quality, size and yield.
FASTFACTS
• Modern approach to farming prioritizes organic farming methods, ensuring all fertilizers and pesticides meet strict safety standards.
• Advanced hydropnic systems utilize vertical farming towers — up to seven levels high —equipped with volcanic rock substrates and top-down irrigation.
These types of fruits are sensitive, requiring special soil, complementary elements, and suitable conditions through protected greenhouses.
The success hinges on innovative farming techniques, particularly the adoption of advanced hydroponic systems.
These systems utilize vertical farming towers — up to seven levels high —equipped with volcanic rock substrates and top-down irrigation.
This modern approach prioritizes organic farming methods, ensuring all fertilizers and pesticides meet strict safety standards.
Perhaps most impressive are the efficiency gains. According to Al-Keaid, the hydroponic system achieves remarkable water conservation, reducing consumption by 80 percent compared to traditional methods.
Additionally, the production capacity in hydroponic farming is multiple times that of soil-based farming.
The space efficiency is equally striking: a single greenhouse of 360 sq. meters can accommodate 9,000 seedlings — approximately triple the capacity of conventional soil-based farming.
Furthermore, caring for the seedlings is easier, requires less effort, and uses fewer fertilizers compared to soil-based farming.
How a Saudi royal reserve combines sustainability with support for the local community
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve promotes educational partnerships, controlled grazing, and sustainable hunting
- Authority CEO Mohammed Al-Shaalan says community engagement links environmental protection with economic development
RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in northern Saudi Arabia was established in 2018 to help preserve a thriving natural environment and to promote a sustainable local economy, free from overgrazing and unregulated hunting.
Committed to enhancing the quality of life for the local community, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority works to protect biodiversity while engaging residents as stakeholders in advancing its environmental and development goals.
Headquartered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the authority invites residents to take part in educational programs, workshops, and collaborations to actively protect the environment and promote sustainable livelihoods.
This collaboration includes specialized training courses held in partnership with educational and development institutions, including the University of Hail, Northern Border University, and the Human Resources Development Fund.
These courses are designed to equip the community with the skills needed to support the reserve’s environmental and development goals, including the effort to increase vegetation through tree planting and the prevention of logging.
“Seven hundred thousand trees have been planted” since the reserve was established, Mohammed Al-Shaalan, the authority’s CEO, told Arab News on the sidelines of the UN conference on biodiversity, COP16, in Riyadh last month.
“Because of the plantation and the protection, the normalized difference vegetation index has increased from 2 percent to 8 percent over the past four years, which tells us that if we give a little bit of breath for the environment, it could restore itself very fast.”
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The index is a measure for assessing vegetation health and density using sensor data, helping track changes in plant health.
The reserve’s efforts align with the Kingdom’s goal of planting 10 billion trees by 2100 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate more than 74 million hectares of land.
To date, more than 70 million trees have been planted nationwide.
In addition to its commitment to enhancing biodiversity, the reserve provides valuable resources for the local community. It grants controlled access to local herders, allowing their animals to graze and maintain a healthy biocycle for plants.
The reserve issues special permits for grazing in designated areas, allowing livestock owners to sustainably utilize the vegetation. This organized grazing process helps mitigate risks associated with excessive growth, including the potential for wildfires.
Among the local herders who frequently visits the reserve to graze his cattle is Farhan Al-Rughailan. He believes allowing livestock to graze helps maintain plant health, prevents diseases, and ensures sustainable use of the reserve’s resources.
hen plants are growing, they must be cut regularly, otherwise they become poisonous if they stay for too long without animals grazing on them,” he told Arab News.
Like other herders, Al-Rughailan is only permitted to visit the reserve during specific times specified on his permit. The policy has helped reduce the economic cost of feeding livestock.
“As a royal reserve, one of our mandates is the local community, and we have to take care of it,” said authority CEO Al-Shaalan.
“Today, we have more than 150 livestock, between camels and sheep, and livestock breeders in the local community are used to paying SAR 100 million ($26.6 million) to SAR 120 million to buy food for livestock. So, instead of buying hay and livestock feed, we allow them to graze.”
In addition to sustainable grazing, the authority has introduced sustainable hunting in a designated area located in the northern part of the reserve, which is also intended to support the local community without harming the ecosystem.
Although the sustainable hunting area makes up just 2.18 percent of the reserve’s total area, it provides a valuable boost to the local economy. Prey is raised in a controlled environment to ensure the sustainability of targeted species while preserving the reserve’s ecosystem.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The Imam Turki Royal Reserve employs 180 rangers to monitor and address issues related to wildlife and plants.
• According to its CEO, nearly 90 percent of the reserve is now protected.
• The Royal Reserve’s Development Authority uses drone technology to monitor and protect the environment.
• The reserve offers volunteer opportunities, fostering cooperation and environmental responsibility within the community.
Hunting is a popular activity for both locals and tourists in Saudi Arabia, but it has historically had a negative impact on native wildlife. Overhunting in the past has led to the decline of species such as the Arabian leopard, ibex, and oryx.
Today, the Kingdom’s Environmental Law and executive regulations prohibit the trade, killing, or hunting of endangered wildlife species, along with their derivatives and products. Violators can face fines of up to SAR 30 million, 10 years in prison, or both.
“Instead of people going and hunting in the wilderness, we provide a sustainable production of wildlife that we can release for hunting,” said Al-Shaalan.
This model was adopted by the UN in 1992, with the biodiversity agreement recognizing sustainable hunting as a conservation tool, affirming that wildlife can be preserved by allowing controlled hunting.
“There are always people who want to hunt,” he said. “But if you give them a legitimate way to hunt, it will reduce the pressure on wildlife.”
MWL sends condolences to Montenegro shooting victims
- The organization affirmed its full solidarity with Montenegro in this difficult period
MAKKAH: The Muslim World League has extended its condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Montenegro, as well as to the families of the victims, following the shooting incident in Cetinje, resulting in deaths and injuries to several people.
The organization affirmed its full solidarity with Montenegro in this difficult period.
Attempts to smuggle over 220k banned pills thwarted
- Mina’s customs officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle 34,084 Captagon pills, which were found hidden inside the driver seat cavity of a truck that entered the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority thwarted three attempts — at the King Fahd Causeway, Al-Haditha and Mina crossings — to smuggle over 220,000 banned pills found hidden in vehicles that entered the Kingdom, as well as in a passenger’s luggage.
The authority clarified that in the first attempt, the King Fahd Causeway’s customs agents halted an attempt to smuggle 120,370 Captagon pills, in addition to 45,975 other banned pills, which were found hidden inside four door cavities of a vehicle that entered the Kingdom through the crossing.
In the second attempt, Al-Haditha’s customs officers stopped an attempt to smuggle 21,011 Captagon pills, which were found in the luggage of a passenger that entered the Kingdom through the crossing.
During the third attempt, Mina’s customs officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle 34,084 Captagon pills, which were found hidden inside the driver seat cavity of a truck that entered the Kingdom.
