As India celebrates its eightieth Independence Day, we bear in mind with gratitude the numerous women and men whose braveness and sacrifice secured our freedom. We additionally pay tribute to generations of Indians who, since 1947, have strengthened our democracy, constructed our establishments and contributed to the nation’s exceptional journey of growth.
Independence Day will not be solely an event to look again with satisfaction, but in addition to look forward with confidence. India in the present day is working in the direction of the imaginative and prescient of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The financial system recorded actual GDP development of seven.7 per cent in 2025-26, whereas the nation continues to broaden its manufacturing base, modernize infrastructure and spend money on new applied sciences.
The thought of “Make in India, Make for the World” captures an vital a part of this transformation. India is constructing capabilities throughout superior manufacturing, semiconductors and clear applied sciences, whereas investing in Synthetic Intelligence, quantum applied sciences and superior computing.
India’s area sector can also be getting into a brand new section. Constructing on Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, work continues on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. On the similar time, the growth of renewable vitality and the Nationwide Inexperienced Hydrogen Mission displays India’s rising deal with cleaner applied sciences and sustainable growth.
These developments level in a single route: India is constructing capabilities at dwelling whereas more and more contributing merchandise, applied sciences and options to the broader world.
Alongside India’s journey of development and transformation, its partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has continued to assemble energy. The India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership in the present day encompasses political, financial, vitality, defence, expertise, cultural and people-to-people cooperation, underpinned by longstanding goodwill and mutual belief.
For us in Jeddah, this partnership is probably most instantly felt by means of individuals. Round 2.7 million Indians dwell and work in Saudi Arabia, contributing throughout healthcare, engineering, schooling, expertise, enterprise, trade, building and plenty of different sectors. By their professionalism, arduous work and respect for the legal guidelines and traditions of Saudi Arabia, they’ve earned appreciable goodwill and stay an everlasting bridge between our two international locations.
Serving this huge and numerous group stays a central duty of the Consulate Common of India in Jeddah. Our endeavour is to make consular and group welfare providers more and more accessible and responsive, and we deeply worth the cooperation prolonged by Saudi authorities in supporting the welfare of Indian nationals.
Jeddah additionally occupies a particular place in our engagement due to the Haj. Haj 2026 as soon as once more concerned intensive preparations and shut coordination between Indian and Saudi authorities to facilitate the pilgrimage and supply crucial assist to Indian pilgrims. We stay deeply appreciative of the Authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, notably the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and different involved authorities, for his or her cooperation and the persevering with enhancements in providers and amenities for pilgrims.
Over the previous 12 months, the Consulate has additionally sought to deliver our peoples nearer by means of cultural, instructional and group initiatives in Jeddah and throughout western Saudi Arabia, with specific emphasis on partaking younger individuals.
These connections are strengthened by the rising familiarity between our societies. Yoga, Indian cinema, music and delicacies have discovered an appreciative viewers within the Kingdom, whereas journey and tourism are creating new alternatives for Saudis and Indians to find one another’s cultures first-hand. As Consul Common, I see this human connection as one of many enduring strengths of the India-Saudi Arabia partnership.
As India enters its eightieth 12 months as an impartial nation, we glance to the longer term with confidence and with a willpower to construct an India that’s affluent, revolutionary and sustainable, whereas remaining a reliable companion to the world.
We convey our honest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister; the Authorities; and the individuals of the Kingdom for his or her friendship in the direction of India, their assist to Indian pilgrims and the heat prolonged to the Indian group.
On this Independence Day, I prolong my heat greetings to all Indian nationals and buddies of India within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
