India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation to deepen and expand bilateral cultural ties. The MoU was signed on November 9, 2025, in Riyadh by Shri 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 Saudi Arabia.

The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in diverse cultural fields—including arts, heritage, music, and literature—while promoting cultural exchanges, sharing policy and regulatory experiences, and facilitating participation in cultural festivals and events. It also encourages institutional partnerships and knowledge sharing on the preservation of cultural heritage.

During the bilateral discussions, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cultural cooperation and promote joint initiatives across various domains. They emphasized that the MoU would serve as a significant step forward in reinforcing the historical and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Notably, the two Ministers co-chair the Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Jeddah in April 2025. This marks the first bilateral meeting between the two Culture Ministers since the Committee’s formation.