Page 5 - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia ends Kafala system: What changes for 2.6 mn Indian migrants

Saudi Arabia has scrapped its decades-old Kafala system, freeing 13 million migrant workers, including 2.6 million Indians, from restrictive employer control and exit visa rules

Saudi premium residency at Rs 98,000: How foreigners can live & work freely

Saudi Arabia offers a SAR 4,000 Premium Residency across five routes, allowing foreigners to live, work, and invest without a local sponsor

US, Saudi Arabia vie for larger share of India's crude oil import pie

Amid global oversupply, the US is emerging as a cost-competitive oil supplier to India, challenging Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers even as Russian barrels dominate

Saudi Arabia, US in talks for defence pact ahead of MBS' Washington visit

Riyadh and Washington are negotiating a deal similar to the recent US-Qatar pact, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for a key visit to Washington next month

Pakistan's power play: Saying yes to all in a risky multipolar world

Islamabad might have failed for decades to create the sort of productive, dynamic economy that builds anything the world might want to buy. But that doesn't mean there's nothing left to sell

Paves way for just peace: Saudi Arabia welcomes Gaza ceasefire deal

'The Kingdom appreciates the active role of US President Donald Trump and the mediation efforts by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkiye to reach this agreement'

Saudi Arabia edge closer to 2026 World Cup qualification with key win

Saudi Arabia beat Indonesia 3-2 to move within 90 minutes of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. A victory against Iraq on next Tuesday, also in Jeddah, would guarantee Saudi Arabia first place in Group B and a seventh World Cup appearance. In the fourth round of Asian qualifying, only the winners of the two groups of three earn automatic berths to the tournament. The runners-up advance to a fifth round. Indonesia, coached by former Netherlands and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, struck first on Wednesday when Kevin Diks converted a penalty in the 11th minute. Six minutes later, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat equalised, and Firas Al-Buraikan's penalty in the 37th minute put Saudi Arabia ahead. Al-Buraikan scored again just after the hour mark, but Diks converted a second penalty in the 89th minute. Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno was sent off in stoppage time, but the hosts held on for the win. Indonesia's chance of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1938 will be over if

Saudi Arabia to now allow all valid visa holders to perform Umrah

Saudi Arabia allows all valid visa holders - including tourist, work, and family visit - to perform Umrah under new 2025 digital rules via Nusuk

India, Saudi Arabia discuss investment opportunities, economic integration

India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy close friendly relations reflecting the centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties

Despite defence pact with Pakistan, India remains Saudi's key trade partner

Saudi-Pakistan defence pact underlines Islamabad's reliance on Riyadh, while India's ties rest on larger trade and diversified remittances

PM Modi condoles death of Saudi Arabia's grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the death of Saudi Arabia's grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al AlSheikh. Modi said on X, "Deepest condolences on the sad demise of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al AlSheikh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom and its people in this moment of grief." Sheikh Abdulaziz served as the top religious authority of the Islamic state for over two decades. His death was announced on Tuesday.

Don't think we should overreact: Tharoor on Saudi-Pakistan defence pact

Last week, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement", pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both

'Not on the radar': Pak Defence Min Asif denies nuclear link in Saudi pact

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo TV that Pakistan's capabilities extend to Saudi under the pact, but later told Reuters that nuclear weapons are 'not on the radar'

Entry of other Arab countries in Pak-Saudi defence pact not ruled out: Asif

The entry of other Arab countries in the mutual defence deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is not ruled out, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said, adding that doors are not closed for such developments. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a "strategic mutual defence" agreement, which declares that any attack on either country will be considered "an aggression against both". The deal was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Pakistani leader's day-long visit to the Gulf Kingdom, according to a joint statement. The deal comes days after an Israeli attack on the Hamas leadership in Qatar, a key US ally in the Gulf region. Responding to a question whether more Arab nations could become part of the deal, Asif said: I cannot prematurely answer this, but I will definitely say the doors are not closed. Asif, during an interview to Geo News on Tuesday, said he had always called for a similar arrangement like NATO since

India sees Pak-Saudi defence pact as response to Israel's Doha strike

India reacted to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact saying Riyadh should respect mutual interests and sensitivities, while officials view the deal as accelerated by Israel's Doha strike

'Examining implications': India on US move to revoke Chabahar port waiver

The revocation of the sanctions waiver comes as a challenge for India, as it is involved in the development of a terminal at Chabahar Port

India to study implications of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact

India said it will study the implications of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact for its security and regional stability, reaffirming its resolve to protect national interests

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact: What does it mean for India's security?

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a defence pact pledging joint military support. India is weighing its security implications as Riyadh deepens ties with Islamabad

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign defence pact: 'Attack on one is attack on both'

During Shehbaz Sharif's visit, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement which expanded defence cooperation, including training, exercises and intelligence sharing