New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia, asserting that their relations have acquired a strategic depth and momentum in recent years.

In his departure statement ahead of his two-day visit to the kingdom on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said both countries have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership, including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people-to-people ties.

“We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability,” Modi said, noting that it will be his third visit to the country and the first one to the historic city of Jeddah.

He said he looked forward to participating in the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and building upon the highly successful state visit of Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023.

Modi described the crown prince as “my brother”.

He said he is also eager to connect with the “vibrant” Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between the two nations and makes an immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties.

Officials noted that all prime ministers before Modi together visited Saudi Arabia three times in close to seven decades. This is also Modi’s 15th visit to a country in the Gulf region, they added. PTI KR RHL