Sushma Swaraj to inaugurate festival in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi: India is stepping up its diplomacy with the Arab world where a large number of Indians stay and work. While it is already known that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Palestine, the United Arab Emirates and Oman from February 9 to 12, it was announced on Sunday that external affairs minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6 to 8. Ms Swaraj’s visit will be to inaugurate the Janadriyah Festival of Saudi Arabia, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said. India has been invited as the Guest of Honour country at the festival. The Janadriyah Festival is the most prestigious and popular “National Heritage and Culture Festival” of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is organised annually, since 1985. The Saudi King is the patron of the festival and New Delhi on Sunday thanked the Saudi King for the invitation.

MEA ppokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “EAM @SushmaSwaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from 6-8 February to inaugurate the Janadriyah Festival of Saudi Arabia on 7 February. Interestingly, India will also be showcasing both Yoga and Bollywood as part of the cultural component during the festival.”

At a Joint Press Conference in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Minister of National Guard, minister of state for external affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd) said, “It is a matter of great honour for India to be invited as Guest of Honour country for the prestigious National Festival. The Festival is the most prestigious and popular “National Heritage and Culture Festival” of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is being organised annually, since 1985. The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques himself patronises the festival. I wish to thank The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on behalf of my leadership for bestowing this honour on India. ... External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj will be leading the Indian delegation for inauguration of this historical event on February 7. ... The festival is organised by the Ministry of National Guard (SANG) and Minister of National Guard presides over the Supreme Committee of the Festival.”

Gen. Singh added, “We greatly value our close and deep rooted civilisational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This relationship got further impetus and new direction after the historical visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in 2016. The Kingdom is also home to more than 3 million-strong Indian community. I have no doubt that India’s participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights. India’s participation in the festival will be multifaceted. We will have an Indian Pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The India Pavilion will comprise glimpses of Traditional and Modern India. There will be displays and presentations by ministries/departments such as Indian Ordnance Factories Board, ISRO, Ministry of AYUSH, Handicrafts Promotion Council, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Skill development, Digital India, Make in India”.

The MoS further said, “On the traditional side, India Pavilion will have presentations representing our socio-cultural heritage, folklore, traditional costumes and Indian perfumes.”