New Delhi: India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have taken a significant step towards expanding their cultural collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation in Riyadh on November 9, 2025.
The agreement was signed between Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism of India, and H.H. Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MoU aims to strengthen cultural relations by encouraging cooperation in diverse areas such as arts, heritage, music, and literature.
It focuses on promoting cultural exchanges, sharing policy and regulatory experiences, and facilitating participation in cultural festivals and events. The agreement also seeks to promote collaboration among cultural institutions and support the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the preservation of cultural heritage.
During the bilateral discussions held prior to the signing, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in the cultural sphere and pursue joint initiatives under the India-Saudi Arabia framework. Acknowledging the deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people ties between the two nations, the ministers agreed that the new MoU will further strengthen the growing momentum in bilateral cultural relations.
Both culture ministers also serve as co-chairs of the newly constituted Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), which was established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Jeddah in April 2025.
This marks the first bilateral meeting of the two culture ministers since the creation of the Ministerial Committee, signalling a new phase of cultural engagement between India and Saudi Arabia.
BI Bureau
