Saudi Arabia and India have boosted their diplomatic ties by signing a mutual short-stay visa exemption agreement to facilitate official travel, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh on December 17 by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan and Abdulmajeed bin Rashed Alsmari, the deputy minister for protocol affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The agreement will facilitate official travels and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council,” the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said in a post on X.
Therefore, holders of diplomatic, special and official passports from both countries will enjoy mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements.
This initiative represents a new milestone in the Saudi-Indian relations, providing government, diplomatic and special envoys with smooth and seamless official travel.
It also stands as a testament to the growing trust and cooperation between the two countries.
Interestingly, the move comes at a crucial time for both countries as they are deepening their ties especially after they expanded the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council earlier this year to involve four ministerial committees, including a ministerial committee for defense cooperation and another for culture and tourism.
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