Union Minister Kiren Rijiju engages with Indian Community in Riyadh, highlights key initiatives
Riyadh: The Indian Embassy in Riyadh hosted an Indian Community Interaction Program on January 11, 2025, at its auditorium in the Diplomatic Quarter. The event, attended by Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, brought together Indian community members, embassy officials, and dignitaries.
Minister Rijiju was welcomed with a traditional Himachali cap and shawl, symbolising India's cultural richness. Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, shared the stage with the Minister.
In his address, Rijiju highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, emphasising the importance of strengthening bilateral ties in trade, education, technology, and culture. He recognised the contributions of the 2.6 million Indians in Saudi Arabia and their role in enhancing the relationship between the two nations.
A significant part of the Minister's speech focused on the preparations for Hajj 2025. He announced an increase in the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims and outlined new measures to improve the experience for elderly pilgrims, women, and others. These efforts include enhanced travel, accommodation, and healthcare facilities in collaboration with Saudi authorities, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable pilgrimage.
Rijiju also touched on India's rising global stature, noting how India has transformed into a global center of power, with strong ties to nearly every nation. He expressed pride in the positive shift in global perceptions of India and its people.
The Minister commended the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah for their exceptional work, particularly in managing one of the busiest workloads among Indian missions worldwide, including processing around 600 passports daily. He also praised the Embassy's active involvement in promoting bilateral relations.
The evening featured cultural performances by students from Indian International Schools in Riyadh, showcasing India's diverse linguistic and cultural heritage. Rijiju expressed appreciation for the students' performances, highlighting the importance of respecting all Indian languages.
The event concluded with the distribution of prizes to competition winners, leaving attendees inspired by their shared cultural roots. Dinesh Setia, First Secretary at the Indian Embassy, served as the master of ceremonies, ensuring the smooth flow of the program.
The Indian community in Riyadh expressed their gratitude to Rijiju for his inspiring vision and the Embassy for hosting a memorable evening.
(Inputs from Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, Riyadh)
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Opposition will question govt at all-party meet about Trump's claims on brokering ceasefire: Kharge
Kalaburagi (PTI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that the opposition will question the government at the all-party meeting, regarding US President Donald Trump's claims that his administration helped broker a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said he will urge the government to call an all-party meeting soon, to discuss the latest developments in border tension between India and Pakistan, including "ceasefire".
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Trump is saying things to claim credit. These people (PM and central government) are saying no. It is a sensitive matter. When an all-party meeting is called, we will discuss — what’s the matter, what happened and what were the telephone talks— and ask all these things”.
In response to a question whether PM Modi gave in to Trump's mediation, he said "It won’t be right for me to speak about it now. We have our party meeting today. I’m going for that. I will ask (centre) to call an all-party meeting, let’s see what they will do."
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on Saturday to end the military conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Indian government sources have been maintaining that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions, and no third party was involved.
There was no reference to trade in talks between top leaders of India and the US during the India-Pakistan military conflict, government sources said on Monday after American President Donald Trump claimed that he pressured New Delhi and Islamabad to stop hostilities by threatening to cut trade with both countries.
The source-based clarification came after Trump on Monday said he forced the two countries to stop the hostilities by using the trade card.
Kharge and his party have already demanded that the central government convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the latest developments in cross-border firing, including the recently announced "ceasefire".
