Jeddah reverberates with 'Modi-Modi' chants, Saudis singing iconic Hindi patriotic songs

Jeddah: A large number of locals and members of the Indian diaspora community gave a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at his hotel in Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon. PM Modi witnessed vibrant and energy-filled cultural performances amid chants of ‘Modi-Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ from people present at the venue.

Extending a heartfelt welcome to PM Modi, a Saudi singer Hashim Abbas sang the iconic patriotic song “Ae Watan....” which had everyone, including the Prime Minister, clapping and appreciating.

“I love India a lot and people kept telling me that this would happen one day. With the help of my friend, I got this chance to sing in front of PM Modi... It was truly an unbelievable moment and seems absolutely surreal. Can’t describe the feeling of meeting the number one man in India,” Abbas told IANS later. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi landed in the historic port city to a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial welcome.

Giving further momentum to long-standing and historic ties between the two countries, PM Modi was warmly received by Deputy Governor of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi and Jeddah Mayor Saleh Ali Al-Turki at the airport as he began a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his third to the Kingdom after 2016 and 2019, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

As a special gesture for the State Visit of PM Modi, his aircraft was escorted by the Royal Saudi Air Force as it entered the Saudi airspace.

“Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. Eager to take part in the various programmes today and tomorrow,” PM Modi posted on X after landing in Jeddah.

The April 22-23 visit follows the State Visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to New Delhi in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

In his departure statement issued earlier in the day, PM Modi emphasised that India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. (IANS)

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