Modi Cuts Short Saudi Arabia Visit After Deadly Pahalgam Terror Attack

 Jeddah/New Delhi, April 22, 2025 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly concluded his state visit to Saudi Arabia and departed from Jeddah for New Delhi on Tuesday, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The attack, attributed to a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeted tourists, prompting a strong response from the Prime Minister.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed via X that Modi had ended his visit and was en route to India. In a statement on X, Modi condemned the attack, vowing justice for those responsible. “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” he wrote.

Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, his third to the Kingdom in the past decade, was marked by a grand reception in Jeddah, the country’s commercial hub. Unlike his previous visits to the political capital, Riyadh, this trip focused on Jeddah, a city symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s economic future and a gateway to Mecca. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah was Indira Gandhi in 1982, making Modi’s visit a significant milestone after four decades.

Upon arrival, Modi’s plane was escorted by Saudi fighter jets, and he was greeted with a 21-gun salute at the airport. The visit included planned discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to sign six agreements covering space, energy, healthcare, science, culture, and advanced technology. Key priorities included deepening defense cooperation, with India eyeing further arms sales following a $225 million deal for artillery shells last year, and advancing trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Modi also aimed to address travel permit restrictions for Indians and the repatriation of Indian prisoners, nearly a quarter of whom are jailed in Saudi Arabia.

Energy remained a cornerstone of the India-Saudi relationship, though Saudi Arabia’s share of India’s oil imports has dropped to a 14-year low, with Russia now accounting for 36% of India’s oil supply. Discussions also touched on green energy, including green hydrogen and solar collaboration, signaling a shift toward sustainable partnerships. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), unveiled at the 2023 G20 Summit, was another focal point, with Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role in linking India to Europe via West Asia.

However, the Pahalgam attack overshadowed these diplomatic efforts, forcing Modi to prioritize the crisis at home. The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in Jammu & Kashmir, with the Prime Minister reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.