The Embassy of India in Riyadh organized an official reception to mark the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, on the evening of 31 January 2026. The event was graced by H.E. Dr. Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Sudairy, Hon’ble Undersecretary for the Riyadh Region, as the Chief Guest. His Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Hon’ble Vice Minister of Interior also graced the event. The reception witnessed the participation of over 700 distinguished guests, including resident Ambassadors, senior officials from the Saudi government, representatives from business, think tanks, academia, media, and members of the Indian diaspora.

Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, addressed the gathering and highlighted the strong momentum in the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership, underpinned by intensive bilateral engagements across all sectors. Ambassador Khan made special reference to the State Visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to Saudi Arabia in April 2025, which provided renewed direction and strength to the bilateral relationship.

The cultural programme that followed featured a dance performance set to India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” commemorating its 150th anniversary. This was followed by a classical ‘Theyyam’ dance performance from the state of Kerala, showcasing India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Alongside, special displays of Indian textiles, particularly sarees from different regions of India, were also showcased at the venue, highlighting the richness, craftsmanship, and diversity of Indian textile traditions.

The guests enjoyed Indian Coffee at the special booth set up at the venue. Our Saudi friends highly appreciated the rich aroma & taste of Indian coffee. The guests also visited promotional stalls on Indian tourism, healthcare, and other sectors, and enjoyed a wide sampling of Indian cuisine served at various food stalls set up for the occasion.