A Joint Symposium on the topic, "Arabic Documents in Indian Archives" was co-organized by the National Archives of India (NAI) and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) on July 29, 2025 in Riyadh. The event was held as part of the bilateral MoU between the two prestigious national institutions in the area of archival cooperation, signed in New Delhi in September 2023, during the State visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and PM of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Symposium was presided over by Ambassador of India H.E. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Khuraif, Deputy Executive President, Darah. From NAI, Deputy Directors Mr. N. Raju Singh and Mr. K.C. Jena attend the Symposium.

2. In his address, Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan highlighted the importance of the ongoing cooperation between NAI and Darah, which has led to greater awareness and understanding of the historical linkages between India and Saudi Arabia that exists today in the form of literary works, rare manuscripts, and other written records. Ambassador Khan said that Indian libraries and universities are repositories of numerous unique works in Arabic language, which gives us a glimpse into the rich history of Arabian Peninsula as well as its close socio-cultural connections with India. He also underlined that under the dynamic leadership of India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bilateral cultural exchanges have gained significant momentum in recent years. In this context, Ambassador Khan mentioned that a new Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation that will function under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council was established during the State visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2025.

3. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Khuraif, Deputy Executive President of Darah in his remarks said that the Symposium is a collective effort of NAI and Darah to study and document Arab historical records in India, which will foster greater understanding of the socio-cultural exchanges between the Arab world and the Indian subcontinent.

4. The Deputy Directors from NAI made insightful presentations along with Saudi scholars focusing on archival records of Arab origin preserved in India. The presentations were followed by an interactive Q&A session.

5. Selected photographs from the event are enclosed (Courtesy: Darah Foundation).

(30 July 2025)

Riyadh