India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, held a high-level meeting on Monday with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Economic and Development Affairs Deputyship, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, to review bilateral cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest.

According to the Embassy of India in Riyadh, the two leaders exchanged views on strengthening India-Saudi Arabia relations and enhancing coordination at various international and multilateral forums. The discussions also covered broader areas of cooperation between the two countries as they continue to expand strategic, economic, and diplomatic ties.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the meeting, stating that both sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed topics of common interest aimed at further deepening engagement between the two nations.

The meeting comes as Ambassador Khan prepares to conclude his tenure in Saudi Arabia after serving as India’s envoy since January 2023. During his assignment, he played a key role in advancing cooperation across trade, investment, energy, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties.

The Ministry of External Affairs has appointed Vipul, a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and current Ambassador of India to Qatar, as the next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of assuming his new role, Ambassador-designate Vipul expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the opportunity and said he looks forward to further strengthening the growing partnership between New Delhi and Riyadh.

Ambassador Khan also welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that his successor would help take India-Saudi Arabia relations to new heights. He described it as a privilege to have contributed to strengthening bilateral ties and serving the Indian community in the Kingdom.

India and Saudi Arabia have significantly expanded their strategic partnership in recent years, with cooperation spanning energy security, trade, investment, technology, defense, and regional stability.