Young Indian diplomat blends trade and spirituality in Saudi

The newly posted Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri is rejuvenating the economic diplomacy after a long time

Jeddah: One of India’s busiest diplomatic missions is located at Jeddah, the commercial capital of the oil rich Saudi Kingdom, the Indian consulate here handles India’s largest pilgrimage gathering outside the country.

However, economic diplomacy remained inadequate in this strategic location for various reasons. Now, things appear to be changing. The trade section of the consulate is in full swing as it reaches out to the most prominent businesses houses in the port city.

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The newly posted Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri is rejuvenating the economic diplomacy after a long time.

In fact, this is for the first time that a Consul General level diplomat is calling Saudi businessmen on a regular basis with a single agenda to promote Indian trade, sources said.

Prior to his posting in Saudi, Suri had served in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s West Asia and Northern Africa division. Before formally assuming charge as Consul General, Suri had flown to Makkah to oversee the Haj operations.

He was stationed in Makkah to supervise crucial transport, logistical issues involved in Haj season. It’s noteworthy to mention that India is the third largest country that sends the highest number of Haj pilgrims.

A pragmatic official and avoiding limelight, he played an important role in boosting Indian healthcare personnel’s image in GCC countries during the Covid epidemic.