Saudi Deputy Minister Praises 20.6 Million Indians’ Contributions to Society

Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], October 17, 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Media, Khalid bin Abdulqader Al-Ghamdi, lauded the significant contributions of the 20.6 million Indians residing in the Kingdom. His remarks come in the wake of the Ministry of Media’s launch of the ‘Global Harmony’ initiative in Riyadh, part of the “Quality of Life” program under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Riyadh Season, which began on October 13, showcases the cultures of 11 countries, including India, over a span of 45 days. The event features concerts, cultural performances, family events, traditional foods, and handicraft exhibitions, celebrating the diversity of the expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia, including those from the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, and other nations.

Highlighting the pivotal role of Indians in Saudi society, Al-Ghamdi said, “The relationship between our countries is witnessing improvement, witnessing so many new arenas of cooperation, including economics, cultural or all aspects, and these will be aligned to Vision 2030 or its counterpart long-term projects in India. There are 20.6 million Indians in Saudi Arabia, which shows how much they are contributing to our society.”

He also recalled the visits made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019, noting them as key milestones in strengthening bilateral relations. “It is one manifestation of how strong the relationship between both countries is. The leadership and political aspects show the relevance of the relationship between the two nations as we move toward the future based on our Vision 2030 and India’s long-term vision,” Al-Ghamdi added.

The Global Harmony initiative, organized by the Ministry of Media in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority, aims to promote cultural understanding and showcase how residents from different countries live in harmony in Saudi society. The events highlight artistic, cultural, and folkloric activities, creating a platform for showcasing the diverse cultures that make up Saudi Arabia’s population.

“This initiative by the Ministry of Media is part of Vision 2030 and the program for improving the quality of life in Saudi Arabia. It aims to show how residents are living in harmony within our society,” Al-Ghamdi concluded.