SAUDI EXPATRIATES

The agreement was signed on behalf of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed Al-Smari. The Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, also signed the agreement alongside him. The signing ceremony took place in Riyadh on Wednesday. Most Viewed: Ministry of Interior launches 5 new Absher services

In a post on social media, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said the visa exemption agreement is intended to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. The embassy said the agreement will make official travel easier and help expand bilateral exchanges under the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

The visa waiver is expected to simplify the movement of government officials between the two countries and support cooperation across multiple sectors within the strategic partnership framework.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia and China also signed a mutual visa exemption agreement. This agreement applies to holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports from both countries.

The agreement was signed during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Saudi Arabia. The visit took place at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and aims to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

During the visit, the two ministers held talks to review the comprehensive strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and China. They praised the strong relationship in key areas such as economy, trade, investment, and energy.

The ministers noted that the visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and China. They highlighted the major progress achieved over the years and the shared visions that have benefited both countries. Trending: Saudi Arabia revokes Expat levy fees for workers of Industrial companies

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Wang Yi attended the fifth session of the Political Committee of the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee. During the meeting, they discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation across all sectors.

Both sides said they would keep working together to protect each other's important national interests. They also said they favored actions that promote security, stability, progress, and prosperity in both countries, which is what their governments want.

Saudi Arabia expressed its support for the One China policy, saying that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China. The Kingdom also said that Taiwan is an important part of China.

China expressed its support for strengthening Saudi-Iranian relations and praised Saudi Arabia’s leading role in promoting regional and international security and stability.

China also declared its readiness to participate in Expo 2030, set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The two sides discussed regional and worldwide concerns that were important to both of them and promised to work together and talk more about these issues.

Both countries expressed their support for a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue. They reaffirmed their backing for the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. See Also: Saudi Arabia announces penalty for breaching Hajj transportation regulations